Key Verses: 2 Corinthians 2:7, 3:18
…so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow….But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
God is doing a wonderful work in the lives of the Corinthian people! What a joy! What has produced a people whose very presence exudes the fragrance or aroma of Christ?
First – As a result of the strong ministry in 1st Corinthians and their obedience, individuals were changed. Their lives reflected the One they were beholding, Jesus Christ.
Second – They forgave and restored the brother who was living immorally of whom we read in 1st Corinthians chapter 5. Paul’s “anguish of heart” and “many tears” of intercession (2:4) was rewarded with a new unity in the Church.
Third – Integrity, right living, honesty in all things, particularly in the sincerity with which the Gospel is presented (2:17). This is the character of Christ revealed in the administration of the cause of Christ.
The glorious result is that “we all” see the glory of the Lord and “ARE BEING TRANSFORMED.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, please continue the transformation of my life into the image of Christ. I am beholding You (seeing with insight) in the mirror of Your Word each day as I read and pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My meditation brings to mind the words of the Roman Governor, Pilate. When he thrust Jesus forward in front of the crowd, he said, “Behold the Man” (John 19:1-11). In so doing he focused the gaze of the ages on Jesus. Jesus was dressed in an old robe of royal purple in order to mock His claim to be the King. The crown of thorns was pressed into His brow. I have just read Psalm 22. I am deeply moved, and I give my life to Him in a renewed commitment.
Paul writes of “so many, peddling the word of God” (2:17). As a TV evangelist, I hear that! Many times I’ve been asked, “What do you do?” I’ll mumble something unintelligible, and change the subject to a conversation that may lead to an opportunity to share Jesus. I don’t want to talk about TV evangelists. I just want to talk about Jesus. I weep as I type these words over the poor witness to Jesus that we have often portrayed. Oh how I desire to be changed from glory to glory, so that I may reflect the Person of Christ in a more accurate way.
Yours for the work of “the Spirit of the Lord” in us all,
David
P.S. Rev. Tom Johnstone, whom I mentioned a few days ago, was a Pastor in Montreal. He told the story of walking through a slum area when suddenly he smelled a beautiful fragrance in the air. He looked down the alley, and there were the girls who worked in a perfume factory. They were sitting outside eating their lunch. They were saturated in the aroma of their occupation. Let us be saturated every day in the fragrance of Christ, so that He becomes present wherever we go!
Up Next in Year 1 | March
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100 Words - YR1 March 3 - Trouble
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