Lesson 502

(Lesson 502)(12-31-12) 2 Corinthians 11:1-4, "Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

In this lesson, Paul says that although he has been careful to plant the correct seed among the Corinthians, he fears they might be led astray by false teachers.

Verse three holds the gist of this lesson and it can easily be overlooked by the casual reader. Paul said, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the SIMPLICITY that is in Christ."

The doctrine of Christ is so simple many feel they have to go beyond its requirements.

The ONLY qualification for becoming a child of God is belief in the fact that Jesus is the prophesied second part of the Holy Triune, the virgin born Son of God: that he gave His human life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world going into the grave and rising again the third day, thereby washing away the sins of all who will believe, and that He ascended back to heaven to rule with God leaving behind a caretaker the third part of the Holy Triune, the Holy Ghost (spirit) of the living God.

The pure doctrine of Jesus Christ is just that simple! One need not erect more obstacles in the path to salvation, such as water baptism! One need not falsely believe they must live a perfect life to maintain that salvation, the Holy Spirit seals it for us until the day of redemption!

Paul warned that many would refuse salvation because of its "simplicity" just as Jesus did in Matthew 7:14, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it."~

Lesson 501

(Lesson 501)(12-30-12) 2 Corinthians Chapter 10, "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."

In today's lesson Paul lets it be known that there were obviously some among the Corinthians who despised him and outwardly spoke ill of him. He makes a great effort to convince them that he is simply a messenger of God and that he commands authority over nothing except the maintenance of truth as it applies to the divine word he so avidly teaches.

Paul warns of those who are prideful of their own efforts. He is also careful to express his gratitude for those Corinthians who dedicated themselves to the cross of Christ and who, like himself, expected nothing in return.

This lesson is applicable today in that the sincerity toward, and pure devotion to, the work of the Lord, that was so prevalent among many of the Christians of Paul's day, seems to be almost non-existent today.
It behooves us all to look to what Jesus said to the Church of the Laodiceans in Revelations 3:14-16, "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

Today's "Christianity" identifies directly with Jesus' definition of the Laodiceans, to the letter.~

Lesson 500

(Lesson 500)(12-29-12) 2 Corinthians Chapter 9, "For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

In this lesson Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give freely of what they had, explaining that their charitable giving in support of the poor, and evangelism, would be returned to them in excess and assuring the continual spread of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Among Christians, a charitable heart is promoted in the New Testament above all other spiritual convictions, 1 Corinthians 13:1-4, 8 and 13, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

It is interesting to note that in every scriptural instance, concerning giving, the primary purpose is to support the poor and in some instances, to support evangelism. (There are a couple of references made to tithing before Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses, which, by the way, has nothing to do with today's giving among Christians.)

Some "churches" finance certain outreach "missions" and also give generously to the poor. These are efforts that are truly sanctioned by New Testament scripture. However, a great portion of the money collected by today's "churches" is spent to make the membership more comfortable as they "worship".

Some sects even spend a part of the collections on mailing programs intended to pressure the membership to contribute their "tithes".

Heaven knows I have NO right to judge the intent of the giving practices of anyone, but there seems to be something terribly wrong with "giving in the name of the Lord" to promote one's own comfort.~

Lesson 499

(Lesson 499)(12-28-12) 2 Corinthians 8:15-24, "As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof , of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf."

In this lesson, Paul explains to the the members of the Church at Corinth that he is sending Titus to bring those things that have been collected. He is also comforting them with the knowledge that Titus is a faithful and fruitful messenger of the gospel and that they should trust him completely.

This portion of Paul's letters to the Corinthians is the foundation upon which many local church groups base their belief in supporting evangelism in an effort to "preach the gospel". That belief can be scripturally verified, but only in part. Some of what the Corinthians and others collected was used by Paul and the other evangelists, however, most of the money collected from the Churches was used to help support the poor back in Jerusalem. Romans 15:26, "For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem." As we see here, the richer among us are to help support the poorest.

All of Christianity should pull together with one message in a concerted effort to spread the true gospel of Jesus Christ crucified and the eternal salvation it brings to those who will accept it.

If we all do this in faith and with a humble heart, our efforts will be rewarded a hundred times over. Mark 10:29-30, "And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life."~

Lesson 498

(Lesson 498)(12-27-12) 2 Corinthians 8:1-14, "Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:"

In this lesson, Paul uses the generous example of the Macedonians to teach the Corinthians about caring for, and giving to those in need. He explained that the Macedonians had, without question, given himself and the other evangelists all they had needed, and more.
Paul also makes it clear that giving is not a commandment of God, it is simply an expression of love from one child of God to his/her fellow man/woman, "I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love."
There are many who will disagree with the actuality of what the latter portion of this text teaches, but herein, Paul is simply preaching communal living. He is instructing the "haves", not just to give what is needed to those with less, he says they should share to a point of equality with the "have nots".
What a blessed world we would live in if everyone loved enough to equally share all that they own. In this land of overabundance, there would be no hunger, everyone would be equally cared for.
If we only had enough faith, we could give away everything we own every day, and still have more than enough. ~

Lesson 497

(Lesson 497)(12-25-12) 2 Corinthians Chapter 7, "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things."

In today's lesson, Paul honors and exhorts the Corinthians for turning away from the wrongful acts he had previously written to them about.

He demonstrates herein that we should not refrain from correcting those, within the Church, who are guilty of doing things that are unacceptable, or unbecoming of a member of Christ's Church.

Paul admits to the Corinthians that he, and the other evangelists, take pleasure from having taught them, knowing that they are a sincere and devout people who strive to maintain the will of the gospel.

Sadly, many of today's Church members are too terrified of "rocking the boat" to address the blaring problems that face Christianity within the Church. Many of us spend so much time trying to impose our will on those outside the Church we fail to see the cancer of scriptural ignorance, and complacency, that is destroying Christianity from within.~

Lesson 496

(Lesson 496)(12-24-12) 2 Corinthians Chapter 6, "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

Today's lesson tells us that in all we do, whether if be for the better or the worse, we are to do it toward the furtherance of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the latter portion of this lesson, we are cautioned not to be "unequally yoked together with unbelievers". Some understand this warning to mean that a Christian should not marry an un-believer, I disagree. Since marriage between a believer and an un-believer IS scripturally accepted, 1 Corinthians 7:14, "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy."

This admonition means that Christian people should not allow themselves to take part in any doctrine, or faith, other than the one explicitly described in the pure gospel of Christ.

In other words, we are NOT to dabble in things that might take from devotion to the ministry of the gospel.
We are above all, and at all times and in everything we do, to present ourselves as the children of God.~