2 Corinthians 5.17 - Always Reforming

As Martin Luther’s hammer struck the Wittenberg Cathedral door 497 years ago - October 31, 1517 - the sound of Reformation rang across Europe. Living faith replaced lifeless formulas. Community became more important than cathedrals. But before long, Protestant paralysis set in. Reformation traditions became as ossified as Romanism. They forgot the first of Luther’s 95 declarations: “When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said ‘Repent,’ He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” Reformation must always remain in the present tense. Like the modern reformer Bob Dylan said, “he who is not busy bein’ born is busy dyin.” The best way to honor our Reformation heroes is to faithfully serve Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours, with living zeal. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5.17).

2 Corinthians 6.2 - A Day that begins The Day

Scripture gives historical footnotes of Advent. “Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king” (Matthew 2.1)… “a decree…from Caesar Augustus…the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria” (Luke 2.1,2). But Jesus was probably not born 25 December year 1. We cannot be sure exactly what day Jesus was born, died, rose, ascended - or when He will return. Yet not knowing an exact date does not make something unreal. We inhabit a real planet with uncertain origins. There is abundant evidence of the historicity of the life, teaching, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Indeed, every new year is still “A.D.” – “anno domini” – “the year of our Lord.” “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6.2).  The day He came begins “The Day,” so we can now come to Him.

2 Corinthians 6.2 - Our “Day” of Salvation

The “Day of the Lord” was prophesied 27 times in the Old Testament. It would be cataclysmic, both wrath on God’s enemies (Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18-20; Zech 1:14-15), and blessings on His people (Isa 4:2-6; 30:26; Hos 2:18-23; Joel 3:9-21; Amos 9:11-15; Mic 4:6-8; Zeph 2:7; Zech 14:6-9). From the Old Testament perspective a world-stopping day. Thus, John the Baptizer – the last Old Testament prophet – was confused by our Lord’s mercy to enemies!? (Matthew 11.3). Jesus will bring both aspects of that Day, just not at the same time. His first coming ushered in an era of mercy (John 3.17). But He will return wielding a “rod of iron” (Revelation 19.15). That means we are in the “Day of the Lord” right now – between the epochal comings of Christ. By His death and resurrection He has won our redemption and now extends His saving grace!

2 Corinthians 6.14  - Christians marry Christians….

Great news for Christian-spouse-searchers: millions of wonderful options! There’s just one ‘command’: find someone who loves Jesus more than you! (Today gotta add ‘opposite gender’ too, sadly.) Honestly there are no dating verses in the Bible, because there was no ‘dating’ in Bible days. So, 2 Corinthians 6.14ff is not ‘about’ dating – but it certainly speaks to such a life-shaping alliance. True love and selfless sharing happens when both hearts love Jesus. Marriage is a choice – whether to and who to. If you commit, you must keep your word for life. Be careful, wise, and prayerful - listen to friends, and hey maybe even your parents might know something! Life-partners must hold the same ‘Kingdom passport’ in Christ. Liberty must be extended in many areas of personal freedom like language spoken, career, nationality, ethnicity, tastes in music, food, sports, and denominations – major on Him who is Major!

2 Corinthians 8.9 - 0%?...2.5%?...10%?....23%?...100%?

Just how much do we have to give to God? Islamic Zakat is 2.5%. ‘Tithe’ means 10%. When they crunch OT numbers scholars calculate 23%. In our study of 2 Corinthians we step into the longest NT teaching on giving. But Paul never once uses the word for ‘money’! Nor does he throw around stats or crunch numbers. If continuing the OT tithe laws were necessary in the NT this would be the passage to say that. However, if the NT is God’s grace and mercy ‘super-sized’ should not our gratitude and giving keep pace? How much can we give? Everything! We should joyfully give all to Him who gave all (2 Corinthians 8.9, 1 Corinthians 10.31, Colossians 3.17). Precisely, our WeChat spending should look like we are passing through this world, citizens of God’s Kingdom, and generously committed to advance His Name, and doing good to His people.

2 Corinthians 8.12 - Motives Matter

Friends, spouse, kids, roommates, colleagues – people we care about – but sometimes we hurt each other. Then come apologies. Yet we wonder, “Did he really mean it?” Their words can seem right, but something is wrong. But we don’t even know our own fickle hearts, its’ nearly impossible to truly know another’s. But God, the maker of hearts, sees our hearts. New Covenant is about new hearts. Spirit-filled life with God is not just rule-keeping-outward-conformity. It is loving Him with our whole hearts. Thankfully the God we meet on Judgment Seat is merciful. He sees that sometimes our hearts are devoted but our flesh is deviant. God sees the ‘readiness’(willingness) of our hearts (2 Corinthians 8.12). Give Him your heart fully. John Calvin's personal emblem was a picture of a flaming heart held up in a hand inscribed, "My heart I offer to you, O Lord, promptly and sincerely."

2 Corinthians 11.4 - The REAL Jesus

Christmas is when many think about Jesus. What a great time to share with our friends the One that all the lights, decorations, and carols declare! But do we have the real, biblical, Jesus? Paul warned the Corinthians,  “For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough” (2 Corinthians 11:4 ESV). Just today a local sister told me about someone leaving an evangelical church for a church led by a woman who claims to be the ‘reincarnation’ of Jesus. Two candidates for US President belong to a denomination that believes Jesus and Satan are brothers. Beware! In the first, and even in the twenty-first, centuries there’s more than one Jesus out there!