Day 53
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 MEV
Mighty only because of and through God, against strongholds in the mind that deceive thoughts either by what God has blessed us with, our imaginations, and the sinful pride that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
But, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not he who commends himself who is approved, but he whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 MEV
When we commend ourself, it need not be in alliance with the will of God. This is not the case when it is the other way around.
I knew a man in Christ over fourteen years ago—whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2 MEV
If my chronology is accurate, then fourteen years before that would take us to Acts 14:19 NKJV Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 MEV
There are deeper insights that can be gleaned only through meditation on this words grace and strength in the Lord.
This is the third time I am coming to you. “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” 2 Corinthians 13:1 MEV
Another principle.
For though He was crucified through weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. So also we are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God serving you. 2 Corinthians 13:4 MEV
This speaks of the very active flesh in us that makes us weak, but even though we find ourselves weak, the power of God is more than enough for us and the ministry for which we are called. That is how we live.
Examine yourselves, seeing whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not know that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:5 MEV
Even though I think that I’m in the faith, I still see the mischievous acts of sin, but I do not want to be disqualified. I really thank God for Jesus Christ in me.
Romans 7:24-25 NKJV O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] I thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
1 John 2:1 NKJV My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
This is the power of grace, selah!
Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, and live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 MEV
I had highlighted the word peace before. This passage makes me ponder more about the connection that God of love and peace has with living in peace, being undivided, prosperous and healthy, being perfect as He alone is. All this is available only by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
Day 54
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5 MEV
This greeting sets this letter’s tone. The Lord has done it. Past tense! We will constantly give Him glory by praising Him and by giving Him thanks.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 MEV
Amen. It is no longer I who live. Though I live in this sinly flesh, the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified. Galatians 3:1 MEV
This harkens back to the pivotal point of the New Covenant. God has comforted us, why do we foolishly stray from His lovingkindness?
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by being made a curse for us—as it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— so that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14 MEV
A great precept and principle. People have taken issue with the apostle Paul’s usage of the word “tree”, meaning from accusations that are totally heretical to deceptive pursuits that only waste time, a deeper meaning of this word has been sought after. I believe that this is a cultural colloquiallism much like “Pedal to the metal”, “floor it” and ” When the rubber meets the road” or “till the cows come home”. Doubtless this, like many other verses from the Bible, goes deeper, but nothing other than “wood” (the material used for the Cross and what a tree is) have been revealed to me. Perhaps I should sit with the Lord but I’m certainly not going to pursue an unlawful understanding from the internet. Psalm 131:1 NKJV LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me.
You are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, and there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-29 MEV
Sweet words indeed. I need to contemplate on this more. Heirs according to promise, the promised Holy Spirit, our new covenant with God by faith in Christ Jesus. By the way, there is a reason that the Holy Spirit differentiates between the usage of “Jesus Christ” and “Christ Jesus”, selah!