Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 116-118; 2 Corinthians 3
Devotional Thought:
Paul lovingly addresses this Corinthian church regarding the precious testimony they are of God’s grace. Paul says, “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” (vs. 3) He proclaimed that they were the product of his investment and the fruit of his labor. Paul had to really scold and spank this church in his earlier epistle, but they had responded to his correction and were growing in grace. He was proud of their repentance and change of direction and he wanted to encourage them. Paul did not want them swinging the pendulum too far the opposite way, and move from fleshly carnality to a self-serving spiritual charade. “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (vs. 6) Paul wanted this church enjoying and showing the spirit of what the law teaches, but not elevating the letter of the law for their own spiritual gratification. Paul was careful to explain the purpose of the law was to convince each person that they were incapable of keeping the law. He reminds this dear church that they are still incapable of keeping the letter of the law. “How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?” (vs. 8) Paul reminds each of us to rejoice in the One who could keep the law and did! We do longer have the yoke of trying to keep the letter of the law, because we have the Spirit of God dwelling within us to help us live out the spirit of the law. We would all live a very depressed and disappointed life if we were demanded to keep the letter of the law. Paul cried out regarding his frustration with his flesh, “Oh wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:24-25) Writing to this same church in his first epistle, Paul tells them, “The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57) May we exalt our Savior today who giveth to us the victory and assures us a home in heaven with Him for all eternity.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to be a testimony of your grace, righteousness, and purity. May I live dependent upon the Holy Spirit, knowing I cannot live the life you want me to live apart from your grace and strength.
• Lord, thank you for promising to be enough for me, and that my eternity is not resting upon my performance, but upon your righteousness that you imputed to my account.
• Lord, please help me to never steal your glory by elevating my own spiritual cloak of pride. Help me to always display a demeanor and reputation of humility and gratefulness for the victory I have in the Lord Jesus.