Scripture

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Observation

This new covenant gives us confidence. Moses used to put a veil over his face so the people of Israel could not see the shining glory of God. But now the veil covers the mind of people so that they cannot understand the truth. This veil only be removed by believing in Christ.

When we turn to the Lord, the veil is removed. We receive the freedom of the Spirit so that we can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. The Spirit makes us more like Him as we are changed from glory to glory.

Application

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. This verse is often interpreted by people to mean that where the Spirit of the Lord is, I can do whatever I want.

Freedom in the scriptures is not freedom from restraint. It is freedom to do what the Lord wants us to do. It is not freedom to sin, but freedom from sin.

Paul here is talking about the blindness that people have without Christ to understand God’s will. When we come to Christ, the veil is removed and we can read the scriptures and understand who God is.

The Spirit of the Lord gives us freedom to live a holy life.

The Spirit also gives us freedom to worship God. We start to see and reflect the glory of the Lord. We can see the Lord for who he is, and all of our false ideas are taken away. As we catch the glimpse of God’s glory, we worship him in Spirit and in truth. We are free to express our love for the Lord as our hearts are transformed by the Spirit.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that you have removed the veil from my mind. Please help me to worship you and to live a life of holiness. Amen.

Scripture

This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death, but under the new Covenant, the Spirit gives life.

Observation

Other apostles need letters of recommendation, but Paul does not need such things. The lives of people transformed by the gospel are the only recommendations that Paul needs.

It is God who has qualified Paul for ministry. He is a minister of the new covenant. The old covenant, with its written laws, brought death, but the new covenant brings life.

The old covenant started with such glory that the people of Israel could not look at Moses’ face when it shone from being in the presence of God. If the old way was so glorious, shouldn’t we expect even more from the new covenant which remains forever!

Application

The old covenant consisted of laws that were to help people know how to live in a way that honours God. But in the end, the old covenant brought death rather than life. People worshipped worshipped the rules rather than the God who gave the rules.

The old covenant was intended to bring people into the presence of the Lord, in the same way Moses entered the entered the presence of God. Instead, people put their trust in their ability tolive by the commandments.

There is no there is no written law as such in the new covenant. Yes, there is a code of conduct, so to speak. There are ways of living that honour God, and christians, especially those who claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit, will honour God with words, their deeds, and their attitudes.

As we deepen our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, we experience abundant life. Our joy in the Lord is not restricted to church to meetings and religious activities. No, joy should fill every part of our lives as the Spirit brings us to life

Prayer

Thank you Father for the covenant that brings life. Thank you that my joy is in you and not in obedience to dead letters. Amen.

Scripture

To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are life giving perfume.

Observation

When Paul went to Troas, the Lord opened up a ministry opportunity for him. He was worried about Titus so he went in search of him.

God has made us His captives. He leads us in Christ’s victory parade. To those who are born again, the ministry of believers is a life-giving perfume. Bu to those who are perishing,t it is like the smell of death because it reminds them of their fate without Christ.

The analogy here is a Roman military procession. The prisoners of war were led through the streets. Incense was burnt along the way that was a sweet incense to the victors, but an awful reminder of their impending death for the captives.

Application

To those of us who are saved, the gospel is Good News. We remind ourselves regularly that Christ died for us and we will be raised to eternal life with God. Thos who refuse the offer of salvation will go to hell.

On the surface, it seems odd that people on the so called “progressive” side of politics often hate Christians but support Muslims. Often the Muslims they support have opposing, even extreme, views, on many issues such as LGBT for example. These people hate Christians because to them they are the stench of death; they remind them of the punishment awaiting them.

Of course, Christ’s gift is available to all people. How quickly the stench of death can be turned into life giving perfume.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for dying and paying the price for me. You are the sweet perfume of life. Amen.

Scripture

When I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. We are familiar with his evil schemes.

Observation

Paul decided not to visit the Corinthians because he did not want to cause them more grief.

Instead, he wrote them a letter (which we no longer have). He wants to bring joy to them when he does get to Corinth. The letter was written in great anguish and with tears. He wanted them to know how much love he had for them.

There was a man in the church who caused them great trouble. The majority of the church opposed him. Paul tells them that it is now time to forgive him and show him love. Paul says that when they forgive him, he will too.

Satan can use this situation for evil if they are not careful. This brother may become discouraged and give Satan a victory.

Application

There is a place for discipline in the church, but we do need to be careful. In this case, Paul is discussing a brother who had been disruptive and had been rebuked. Paul urges them to forgive him and bring him back into fellowship.

Our culture tells us that individual freedom is the highest virtue. But for the church, we must be submitted to one another and to the Lord. That is the very opposite of what the world tells us.

When we have a church member who sins publicly or otherwise crosses the boundaries of proper behaviour in the church, we must confront that and say that it is wrong. We may even need to suspend them from some activities in the fellowship for a time.

But love and grace must be at the forefront. When a brother repents, we forgive, just as Christ forgives us when we repent.

There is a fine line between too much and two little discipline. Discipline can become controlling. Satan is always looking for opportunities to exploit gaps in the armour of the church. So we must always be led by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Lord please help me to be subject to your ways at all times. Let my words and my actions glorify you, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

Scripture

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes”. Through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “yes”) ascends for his glory.

Observation

Paul planned to give the Corinthians a double blessing by visiting them on his way to Macedonia and again on his way back.

Paul did not change his plans because made his plans carelessly or because he is like the people of the world who say “Yes” when they mean “No”. Paul’s word does not waver between yes and no. Christ is God’s ultimate “Yes” to us, and this is who Paul preaches and serves.

All of God’s promises are fulfilled with “Yes” in Christ. When we say“Amen” to Christ, it rises to God for His glory.

God enables us to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us and has given us the Holy Spirit as a deposit.

Application

All of God’s promises are “Yes” in Christ.

Paul makes the point here that God does not waver between “Yes”and “No” in terms of His promises. When Jesus died on the cross, that was the ultimate sign of His commitment to us. Having given His all to us, He is not going to back off now, or alternate between opinions about us and our worthiness to receive His promises.

In Christ, all of God’s promises are“Yes”. He invites us to reach out in faith and take hold of His promises to us. These are promises to save us, to heal us, to provide what we need, and more.

God has even given us the Holy Spirit in us as a sign of His trustworthiness. The Holy Spirit is a deposit, a down payment that guarantees the payment of the full amount.

If you are born again, you the Holy Spirit. If you have the Holy Spirit, you have the sign that every promise of God will be released to you.

This is not an automatic process like a vending machine. It is based on a relationship as we walk with God each day.

Prayer

Lord, all of your promises are “Yes” in Christ. Thank you so much for this assurance. Help me to walk confidently and faithfully with you each day. Amen.

Scripture

We think you ought to know, brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.

Observation

Paul describes the troubles he and Timothy went through in the province of Asia. They were crushed beyond their ability to endure. Then they stopped trusting in their own abilities and trusted only in God.

God rescued them from mortal danger, and He will do it again. The Corinthians help by praying for them.

Paul says with confidence that he has lived with God-given holiness and sincerity. His letters have been straightforward with no hidden messages. When Jesus returns, they will be as proud of him as he is of them.

Application

Paul faced great opposition, even to the point of being close to death. That sounds scary, but it had the effect of forcing him to rely on God’s grace and not his own ability.

There is a saying that God will not send us anything that we can’t handle. That is not true. God does it all the time. He does promise that He will not send us anything too big that He can’t handle its.

The Lord is wanting too deepen our trust in Him. We face many trials in our life, some small but others seem huge at the time. In it all, God invites us to trust Him more. As we grow in our ability to trust the Lord, through smaller tests,He sends bigger tests to deepen that trust

Whatever tests I face today, Jesus is with me.

Prayer

Thank you father for the assurance that you will give me victory in every trial. Please help me to trust you. Amen.

Scripture

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

Observation

Paul was chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ. He writes, with Timothy, to the church in Corinth and to all the saints in Greece.

God is our Father and He is the source of all comfort. He comforts ui in our troubles so that we can comfort others when they are troubled.

The more we suffer, the more God pours out His comfort on us. When Paul is weighed down with troubles, God comforts him , and he is able to pass on the same comfort to others. As the Corinthians share in Paul’s suffering, they will also share in his comfort.

Application

God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

God is our Father. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father.” God is strong, mighty, and loving. He wants to see us thrive and grow in his love.

He is merciful. That mean that, because of the death of Jesus on the the cross, we now know forgiveness for our sins. Mercy means that our failings,,are acknowledged but put aside. We do not have to pay the penalty because Jesus did that.

God the Father is the source of all comfort. This is not a common word in the Bible. I looked up the Greek word and it has the same source as the word used for the Holy Spirit – paraclete. The Holy Spirit is described in John’s gospel as the comforter.

This is not talking about a comfortable chair or a soft bed. God comforts us in our sufferings and in our disappointments. He does not take away the pain of living in a sinful and broken world, but He comes beside us and reminds us of His presence. In that way He brings us comfort.

Prayer

Merciful Father, you are the source of all comfort. Please remind me to look to you when I am experienced distress of any kind. Amen.

Scripture

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.

Observation

Paul recognises the fearful responsibility the Lord has laid on him, so he works hard to persuade other people.

Christ died for all, so we have all died to our old life. He died for all so that those who receive the new life will live for Christ and not for themselves.

Everyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The old life is gone, and a new life has begun. All of this is God’s gift. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.

We are Christ’s ambassadors. We speak for Christ when we urge people to turn to the Lord.

Application

When I became a Christian, I became a new person. The old life came to an end and a new life began.

I am not held in captivity by my old nature. No, I am set free to live the perfect and righteous life that God intended for me. I am free to live to the glory of God.

Of course, I have not yet learnt how to live in perfection. Like a horror movie, my old nature keeps reaching out to reclaim me.

Thankfully, God is gracious. He continues to forgive my sins, not counting them against me. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.(See 1 John 1:9)

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for raising me to a new life. My old life is gone and a new life is here. Hallelujah! Amen.

Scripture

If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!

Observation

The old way had its laws etched in stone and led to death. Even in the old way, Moses was so close to God that his face shone with the glory. Now we have the Holy Spirit and we should expect even greater glory.

We are not like Moses who veiled his face so that the people of Israel would not see the glory. Their minds were hardened, so that the same veil still covers their minds, and they cannot receive the truth. Only Christ can remove the veil.

Whenever a person turns to Christ, the veil is taken away. The Spirit of the Lord brings freedom, so that everyone who is in Christ can see the glory and reflect the glory of the Lord.

Application

The old way, the way of the law, brings death and condemnation. The way of Christ brings life and freedom.

Moses would talk to the lord face to face, and his face would light up with the glory of God.

We who are redeemed by Christ have the Holy Spirit in us all the time. We can talk face to face at any time, and our faces therefore reflect the glory of God.

Moses had only a partial fellowship with God. We have full fellowship with Him. We have an intimate relationship, a deep friendship with our God because of what Christ has done for us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the greater glory you give to your people. Amen