II Corinthians 4-6 (Sunday June 29)

2 Corinthians 4

In verses 3-4 Paul talks about how to some people the gospel (which means "good news"), is covered or hidden. Because they don't want to see the truth to be free. So, their minds then get blinded "lest" the light of the gospel shine on them. Remember the god of this age (who is that?), blinds them for the purpose of keeping them unable to "see"(see what?). Not God. So when we come across people in our daily lives whom we begin to see are blinded to the "good news", as we talk with them, how should we proceed?
Well Ephesians 6 give us some clues...How do we wrestle for the soul of some one else against the Devil?

Chapter 5

Verse 9-11 We will receive a reward for all our works, good or bad (remember the blog for 1 Cor. 3:12?). This is not the judgement to determine where we will spend eternity. It is about how much usable materials where created for eternity. What if all your works here on earth create materials that build your living place with Jesus?

Verse 11. Do we have an understanding of how terrified unsaved people will be before the Lord on the day of their judgement (that will be about where they spend eternity)? Imagine your unsaved friends and loved ones standing before the Lord, if they have not gotten saved...they will be terrified, and may even look at you on that day and ask "Why didn't you tell me?", that should break your heart and motivate you to a state of emergency for their soul.

Verse 18 talks about our ministry. Did you know YOU have a ministry? Yes you do. How good are you at it? Are you a faithful worker of YOUR ministry? It is the Ministry of reconciliation. Do you know what that word means in the greek?  It means? It means exchange, restoration, to show divine favor to, reconciling.

Are you helping other get reconciled to Jesus?

Chapter 6.
Does grace give us a license to do what we want, or does it give us freedom and strength from the things we struggle with?

In verse 12 Paul says that our fleshly affections (what could fleshly affections be?), hold us back. Hold us back from what? Hint: look at verse 16-18.