Day 256

Isaiah 12:1–14:32; 2 Corinthians 13:1-14; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 23:9-11

TODAY WE CONCLUDED 2 Corinthians. It would be hard not to notice that Paul spent a generous portion of the letter defending himself. He had been dealing with a lot of mixed messaging in the church from outsiders who questioned his authority while “boasting” in order to bolster their own. Thus, Paul felt the need to “boast” about his own trials in ministry, concluding that if there were really anything to boast in, it would be in his own weakness and the strength of Christ within.

Let’s recognize that these were the same kinds of scenarios that Jesus had to deal with. Often, Jesus was accused of being an agent of the evil one. On numerous occasions, He was asked to prove His authority with a sign. Many times, He was questioned about who gave Him the right to do and say the things He was doing and saying. The apostle Paul endured very similar things.

This invites us to consider our own lives. How would we respond if we were questioned about the things we do and say —or our commitment to Jesus? Would anyone notice or care? Are our lives a conduit of light and Good News that causes a reaction in our homes and workplaces? Or are we —like the challengers of old —still looking for signs, proof, and pedigree?

Paul concluded his letter to the Corinthians by inviting self-reflection: “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Paul urges us to test whether Jesus is within us in such a way that our existence is fundamentally altered. For Paul, this awareness was a necessary paradigm shift and a radical departure from who we once were —and our lives should continually reflect this shift in an ever-increasing way.

To this very day, Paul is recognized for living this way. His devotion to Jesus and to sharing His truth have impacted the world and are memorialized in the New Testament. He believed in what he taught so intensely that he was loyal unto death. Paul trusted entirely in God for his spiritual and physical needs —this is what he was talking about when he invited his readers to examine themselves.

What would we need to change —literally what would we need to repent of —in order for us to more clearly walk this path?

BENEDICTION:

Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.