Max Lucado has a great commentary on 2 Corinthians called Remember What Matters. He brings up valuable questions that are worth considering and reflecting. I hope you'll be blessed by what he writes:
"Motives. We all have them. We all have reasons (conscious and subconscious) for why we do what we do. What would you say are your dominant motivations in life... those compelling urges that prompt you during the average day?
An unnamed group of smooth-talking, slick-operating troublemakers had infiltrated the church at Corinth, bashing Paul and encouraging a departure from his new covenant gospel of grace. To prevent this terrible possibility, Paul contrasted his ministry and motives with theirs. In a world that is obsessed with "image," it is always tempting to pretend always tough to be authentic. Why is absolute honesty essential for those who serve God?
Paul obviously lived a life full of trouble and hardship. Why would God allow such difficulty for one of his most faithful servants? What silver lining does Paul see in his troubles?
Moses asked to see it on Sinai,
It billowed through the temple, leaving priests too stunned to minister,
When Ezekiel saw it, he had to bow,
It encircled the angels and starstruck the shepherds in the Bethlehem pasture,
Jesus radiates it,
John beheld it,
Peter witnessed it on Transfiguration Hill,
Christ will return enthroned in it,
Heaven will be illuminated by it,
It gulf streams the Atlantic of Scripture, touching every person with the potential of changing every life... including yours.
One glimpse, one taste, one sampling, and your faith will never be the same...
Glory
God's glory.
People were created to live for God's glory, but in reality this is not most people's primary concern. What are they living for? What is the treasure we have from God and what are we supposed to do with it?
In this chapter, Paul makes a big deal about speaking for and about God. How much do you do this in your life? Other passages also speak of Christians "shining" for God. What does this look like in everyday, practical terms?
Soli Deo Gloria means "to the glory of God alone." What are some indications that a believer has embraced such a mind-set and lifestyle? What are some specific acts you can commit to that will shine the glory of Christ into your world?
You can get attention by being slick and flashy and by cultivating a certain "image," but you'll never have a deep impact on others that way. The most powerful and eternally significant lives are on those, like Paul, who realize they are mere vessels who have been filled with a heaven-sent treasure. They realized God is the point, not them. According to the Bible, we exist to bring God glory, to shine for him, to point others to him. Like John the Baptist, we need to say, "He must become greater, and I must become less important," John 3:30. Focus today on the substance of your life more so than on mere style. Spiritual depth, authenticity, faithfulness--these are the qualities that honor God and cause others to stop and stare."
"Motives. We all have them. We all have reasons (conscious and subconscious) for why we do what we do. What would you say are your dominant motivations in life... those compelling urges that prompt you during the average day?
An unnamed group of smooth-talking, slick-operating troublemakers had infiltrated the church at Corinth, bashing Paul and encouraging a departure from his new covenant gospel of grace. To prevent this terrible possibility, Paul contrasted his ministry and motives with theirs. In a world that is obsessed with "image," it is always tempting to pretend always tough to be authentic. Why is absolute honesty essential for those who serve God?
Paul obviously lived a life full of trouble and hardship. Why would God allow such difficulty for one of his most faithful servants? What silver lining does Paul see in his troubles?
Moses asked to see it on Sinai,
It billowed through the temple, leaving priests too stunned to minister,
When Ezekiel saw it, he had to bow,
It encircled the angels and starstruck the shepherds in the Bethlehem pasture,
Jesus radiates it,
John beheld it,
Peter witnessed it on Transfiguration Hill,
Christ will return enthroned in it,
Heaven will be illuminated by it,
It gulf streams the Atlantic of Scripture, touching every person with the potential of changing every life... including yours.
One glimpse, one taste, one sampling, and your faith will never be the same...
Glory
God's glory.
People were created to live for God's glory, but in reality this is not most people's primary concern. What are they living for? What is the treasure we have from God and what are we supposed to do with it?
In this chapter, Paul makes a big deal about speaking for and about God. How much do you do this in your life? Other passages also speak of Christians "shining" for God. What does this look like in everyday, practical terms?
Soli Deo Gloria means "to the glory of God alone." What are some indications that a believer has embraced such a mind-set and lifestyle? What are some specific acts you can commit to that will shine the glory of Christ into your world?
You can get attention by being slick and flashy and by cultivating a certain "image," but you'll never have a deep impact on others that way. The most powerful and eternally significant lives are on those, like Paul, who realize they are mere vessels who have been filled with a heaven-sent treasure. They realized God is the point, not them. According to the Bible, we exist to bring God glory, to shine for him, to point others to him. Like John the Baptist, we need to say, "He must become greater, and I must become less important," John 3:30. Focus today on the substance of your life more so than on mere style. Spiritual depth, authenticity, faithfulness--these are the qualities that honor God and cause others to stop and stare."
Let's make it a point to embrace more God-honoring motives and abandon our less worthy ones this week.
Much love,
V
Much love,
V
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