5/17/10 2 Corinthians 13 & Galatians 1
2 Corinthians 13 – The Test
Paul is has come to the close of this letter to the Corinthian church where he has defended his ministry, gave instructions concerning giving, and emphasized his authority as an apostle. Paul mentions that his next trip to the Corinthian church will be his third time and he is appealing to them through this letter that they would move onto maturity in Christ. In this final chapter he tells them to examine themselves as to whether their faith is genuine or perhaps they have believed in vain. From the reports that he is hearing about them he is questioning if they have truly believed the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. So what about us how do we examine ourselves? John MacArthur has outlined nine questions that can help us determine if our faith is true and genuine.
1. Do I love God above all else?
2. Do I hate sin and desire to turn from it?
3. Am I genuinely aware of my nothingness and my feebleness and in true humility do I come to the God of mercy, unworthy to be called His son?
4. Am I devoted above all things to the expression of God's glory?
5. Am I drawn continually into sweet communion with Him?
6. Am I selfless and given to loving others?
7. Do I find myself longing to be utterly separated from the world?
8. Can I look at my life and see spiritual growth?
9. Is the deep hunger of my heart to obey, even in those times of disobedience?
Take time today to examine your heart honestly before God.
Galatians 1 – A Different Gospel
In the book of Galatians, Paul again feels the need to stress his apostleship to the churches. He first mentions that the gospel he had preached to them was revealed to Him by God. He describes how he came to know the living Christ and what his former life was like and then what his life had been like immediately following his calling to be an apostle to carry the gospel to the Gentiles.
Paul has been stunned and amazed at how quickly this group of churches in the region of Galatia have been accepting a different gospel from some who have come to the churches teaching different doctrines than he had initially taught them.
Paul describes this gospel which they have been hearing and some have been receiving as a “different gospel” but he states that in fact there is no such thing as a different gospel. There is no other good news other than Jesus Christ who died for our sins, in our place, for our justification. He goes on to say that this different gospel is actually a “gospel contrary.” Paul is saying that there is not another gospel that can be believed and laid alongside of the one they originally received. To do this would be actually accepting a gospel that is contrary or in opposition to the very gospel that Paul had preached to them.
So what is the “gospel” which you believe? There are many who believe their goodness, good works, or basic morality is the gospel, but in fact this is not the gospel and is contrary to the gospel, because it is based in the assumption that what I am or what I do somehow contributes to my acceptance and salvation before a holy, righteous, and perfect God. What this belief actually does is it minimizes God’s greatness and holiness, while at the same time it maximizes my goodness and ability. Consider from up above one of the nine questions we should ask to determine if we are in the faith or not.
Am I genuinely aware of my nothingness and my feebleness and in true humility do I come to the God of mercy, unworthy to be called His son?
Prayer: Father you are great and glorious and nothing created can match your beauty. I pray for the many people that they will take time to examine to see if they are in the faith which is biblical and right. I pray that neither I nor those whom I minister to will depart from the true gospel. Protect your church from false teaching and attempts of changing or reinterpreting the gospel that is appealing to the flesh, but denies the faith, in Jesus name. Amen.