Day 242 Bible Readings – 2 Corinthians 3: 17-18 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 35-36, 2 Corinthians 3, Psalm 121

2 Corinthians 3: 17-18 (ESV)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Paul reminds us in Verses 17 and 18 from 2 Corinthians 3 that we have the freedom to see the glory of God without a veil like Moses because of presence of the Holy Spirit. We have that freedom because of Jesus Christ who gave us the Holy Spirit through his resurrection. When we behold the image of God, we are also being transformed by God into his same image because of the Holy Spirit. Because of the grace of Jesus Christ, we do not have to do anything because beholding the glory of God will transform us.

Believing in Jesus Christ gives us so much freedom because of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works like an intermediary between us and God. Working with the Holy Spirit will transform us inside and out because of the grace of Jesus Christ.  

These verses also remind me of this song we sing at the church which incorporates verse 17 –

Enjoy!

Day 241 Bible Readings – 2 Corinthians 2: 15 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 33-34, 2 Corinthians 2: 12-17, Psalm 120

2 Corinthians 2: 15 (ESV)

“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,”

Verse 15 from 2 Corinthians 2 shows Paul talking about what it means to spread the gospel of Christ. To those people who are being saved by their belief in Jesus Christ or those who are perishing and want to repent for their sins to God so they can be with Christ, people of faith are welcomed like the smell of good food. Paul reminds us that we should not be ashamed to talk about our faith in God because to those who are starving to hear the words of God, we will be as welcomed as food. As people of faith, we should never be ashamed to share our faith because we do not know if people are starving for the word of God. We need to trust that if Holy Spirit is inspiring us to share our faith with people we don’t know, it is because the person we are speaking to someone who needs to hear the word of God. We cannot judge what someone needs based on appearance or light conversation. Only God knows what is in each person’s heart. A person might be starving for the word of God, but we will never know until we share our faith in Jesus Christ.

Day 240 Bible Readings – 2 Corinthians 2: 10-11 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 31-32, 2 Corinthians 2: 1-11, Psalm 119: 169-176

2 Corinthians 2: 10-11 (ESV)

“Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.”

Verses 10 and 11 from 2 Corinthians 2 shows Paul asking the Church of Corinth to forgive the member of the church who had sinned and who repented. Paul stresses that forgiveness is important because the man who sinned had repented, and it was now a time of healing in the church. Paul knew that if church members did not accept the man who sinned back into their fellowship, they would help Satan cause the man to despair. Satan has many strategies which Paul said was known to everyone. If we know Satan’s strategies, we must be careful not fall prey to them. Paul said we need to follow the example of Christ, and always be kind to people even if they have sinned. We must always be aware of how we are sinning so Satan cannot take advantage of us.

I know for myself it is easy to hold onto a person’s guilt and not forgive them. Withholding forgiveness not only hurt me, but it also sometimes hurt the other person if they wanted to be forgiven. I knew I was punishing them, but I was so angry at the time. When I was finally able to forgive the person and told them, they were so joyful and I felt a sense of peace. Forgiveness always brings peace to you and the other person, especially if they have repented. Forgiveness is the way of Christ, and as a follower of Christ we need always try to emulate his ways.

Day 239 Bible Readings – 2 Chronicles 30: 9 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 29-30, 2 Corinthians 1: 12-24, Psalm 119: 161-168

2 Chronicles 30: 9 (ESV)

“For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”

Verse 9 from 2 Chronicles 30 shows Hezekiah telling the those in Israel who had fallen away from God that if they return to God, he will be gracious and merciful to you. This is reminder for the people of faith today that God will always welcome back anyone who has turned away from him. We have a merciful and gracious God, and good father, who will welcome the prodigals who come back to him. I know sometimes when I have been away from God for a long time, there is some part of my mind that always wonders if God will take me back. Or are there any circumstances when God will not take someone back who want to return to him? I think Paul is the perfect example of how merciful God is to those who have turned from him. Before Paul came to know Jesus Christ, he was Saul who persecuted the early followers of Christ. I always think if God can use somebody like Paul who persecuted the followers of Christ, he will take anyone back and use them to further his kingdom on earth. 

If you have been away from Christ and want to come back, do not be afraid. God will take you back, will not turns his face from you, and will celebrate your return.