1 Corinthians 1:10-11

As believers in Christ Jesus we are all the same and dearly loved. 

We are united in the salvation God gave freely to all who place their faith in Him! His love covered a multitude of sin.

1 Corinthians 1:10–11

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.

Paul means that the Corinthian believers should all agree on how the Spirit works among them and the type of values that Christ would have them to hold—both of these things Paul clarifies within this letter. Faithlife Bible.

Paul pleaded for an outward expression that comes from an inward spirit. Not only did Paul encourage the Corinthians to speak the same thing and have external unity, he also urged them to be joined together in a unity of hearts and minds.

Paul avoided dealing in rumors or secrecy; he openly named his sources: Chloe’s household. We know little of this woman and her household except what this verse implies. Chloe lived in Corinth or Ephesus, and the Corinthians respected her word. NKJ Bible.

In the great things of religion be of one mind; and where there is not unity of sentiment, still let there be union of affection. Agreement in the greater things should extinguish divisions about the lesser. There will be perfect union in heaven, and the nearer we approach it on earth, the nearer we come to perfection. Paul and Apollos both were faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, and helpers of their faith and joy; but those disposed to be contentious, broke into parties. So liable are the best things to be corrupted, and the gospel and its institutions made engines of discord and contention. Satan has always endeavoured to stir up strife among Christians, as one of his chief devices against the gospel. Matthew Henry Commentary.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

John 8:7-8

In the manner that we judge others we will be judged! Love covers a multitude of sin.

We are capable of loving others because He first loved us!!

John 8:7-8

7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 

The legal problems intended to entrap Jesus always result in embarrassment for the accusers or questioners, as Jesus’ response is always unexpected and cuts directly to the heart of the problem. Jesus makes the case that no one is without sin other than God, and thus no one is permitted to pass judgment by any authority other than what God has given them. Only God has a pure motive. Faithlife Bible.

Jesus forgave her. He did not condemn her, but neither did He condone her sin. NKJ Bible.

Romans 2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 9:1-5

God sent the Messiah to the Israelites. Their  initial rejection was our salvation. He will not forget His own.

We choose who we will serve, God or the traditions of men, choose wisely.

Romans 9:1–5

9 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

Paul speaks as one who belongs to Christ and has experienced God’s promises. Despite his role as apostle to the Gentiles, Paul is still grieved that his fellow Jews, God’s chosen people through His promises to Abraham, have not widely accepted Jesus as their Messiah.

Paul echoes Moses’ prayer in Exodus 32:32, showing solidarity with his people by wishing to share in their punishment or take the punishment for them. He longs for the salvation of his fellow Jews.

Paul describes six benefits or privileges that rightfully belonged to Israel as God’s chosen people: joining God’s family (adoption), experiencing His presence (glory), entering into relationship with Him (covenants), receiving His revelation (law), worshiping at His temple (service), and inheriting His blessings (promises). God made His presence known at the tabernacle and later the temple. Isaiah interpreted this “glory”  as the Holy Spirit among them. Faithlife Bible.

At the end of chapter 8 Paul established that: (1) God has a purpose for believers, (2) nothing can prevent that purpose from being fulfilled, and (3) no one can separate God’s people from His love. But what about the Jewish people? God had a purpose for Israel and God had said He loved Israel. Yet Israel appears to be excluded from God’s program. Paul addresses this problem in chapters. 9–11. 

Paul’s pain was so great that he was willing, if possible, to be separated from Christ if it meant Israel could be united to Him. Paul lists some of the great privileges of Israel. For example, they were called Israelites. Israel was the name given to their ancestor Jacob as an expression of God’s favor. Their supreme privilege was that the Messiah came through them. eternally blessed God: Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. NKJ Bible.

Genesis 17:2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”

Deuteronomy 29:14 “I make this covenant and this oath, not with you alone,

Luke 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,

Acts 3:25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

Ephesians 2:12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Luke 9:23-27

Spread the Word…Jesus Christ is Lord over all!

Luke 9:23–26

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

Denying oneself refers to setting aside one’s interests for the sake of God’s kingdom. Jesus’ disciples must be willing to follow Him every day, no matter what the cost. By seeking to avoid the potential hardships associated with following Jesus, a person ends up losing his or her life. Jesus also seems to be referring to people losing out on relationship with God in general—the true meaning of life. Those who embrace Jesus’ call to discipleship—including the difficulties it brings—will be saved. Faithlife Bible.

Although Jesus offered salvation as a free gift, He also warned that following Him would entail suffering and hardship.

It makes no sense to attempt to save our lives on earth only to lose everything when our lives quickly and inevitably pass away. The wise course is to invest our earthly resources—our time, talents, and wealth—in what is eternal. Even if we lose our lives for Jesus’ sake, that investment will produce returns for all eternity.

Recognition of Jesus will be rewarded in the coming judgment. Failure to recognize Him will lead to significant loss.

Since these disciples died before Jesus’ return, the reference here is no doubt to the Transfiguration. With this there is probably also a prediction of the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 10:33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Luke 12:9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

Luke 14:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

1 Corinthians 7:1-7

It is up to the individuals in a marriage to consider the other above themselves. That is love! 

As it was in the Old Testament it continues in the culture of america. divorce is as high in Christians marriages as it is in the general population. divorce was never allowed, unless there was sexual immorality, knowing all the pain and violence that it invites. 

Thank you Jesus that in you we have grace and forgiveness for our past.

1 Corinthians 7:1-7

7 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:

It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. 7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

The precise nature of the Corinthians’ first question is unknown. Paul’s response suggests that the inquiry was broadly related to matters of marriage and sexual relations. The Greek text here uses an idiom to refer to having sexual intercourse with a woman; it may not imply marriage. 

Some married believers in Corinth deprived their spouses of sexual relations  on the basis of this slogan. While Paul acknowledges the benefits of celibacy, he asserts it is not an option for those who are already married. Thus, married couples should enjoy sexual relations and only abstain from them when both parties agree to do so.

Paul’s perspective assumes a framework in which a godly, loving husband does not take advantage of his wife.

Paul is advising, not commanding, the Corinthians.

Paul evidently was unmarried. He considered his ability to remain celibate a gift from God. For Paul, singleness allowed him the freedom to do God’s will without consideration for his own well-being—he didn’t have a spouse or family to care for. Even when one of the spouses is a nonbeliever, Paul never encourages seeking this type of freedom once people are married. Faithlife Bible.

There were two extreme positions in the Corinthian church. Both groups falsely separated the physical and the spiritual, believing that neither affected the other. One group was hedonistic. This group claimed that sin only had to do with the physical body, and that believers could sin in their body without any consequence to their spiritual lives. Paul corrects this misunderstanding. The other group believed that all things spiritual are good, and all things physical are bad, and that in order to be truly spiritual a person has to suppress every physical desire. Proponents of this view claimed that celibacy is the only proper lifestyle. Paul corrects their misunderstanding here and explains that while sexual relationships in marriage are good, he chose celibacy in his own personal situation. NKJ Bible.

Exodus 21:10 If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights.

Matthew 1:6  and Jesse begot David the king.David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.

Mark 10:19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

Matthew 11:25–30

When the world seems overwhelming…rest in Jesus!

He cares for you.

Matthew 11:25–30

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus emphasizes the humility and dependence of those who receive His message. It also could indicate complete authority, the totality of existence, or everything needed to carry out the ministry of Jesus.

Yokes were heavy, wooden crossbars used to connect two oxen together for more efficient plowing. Here, Jesus’ yoke represents His teaching. Allegiance to Him and His kingdom results in a sense of peace—it is not laborious, like keeping the requirements of the Jewish leaders of the time, but instead is joyful, in contrast to the burdens imposed by Israel’s religious leaders. Faithlife Bible.

You who labor and are heavy laden describes the Jews as suffering under a load of religious responsibilities laid on them by priests, rabbis, scribes, and Pharisees. Rest is relief from this burden. NKJ Bible.

This is the gospel call; Whoever will, let him come. All who thus come will receive rest as Christ’s gift, and obtain peace and comfort in their hearts. But in coming to him they must take his yoke, and submit to his authority. They must learn of him all things, as to their comfort and obedience. He accepts the willing servant, however imperfect the services. Here we may find rest for our souls, and here only. Nor need we fear his yoke. His commandments are holy, just, and good. It requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is lined with love. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Luke 10:22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

John 10:15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.

John 8:34-36

Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed. 

I am a child of God. Yes I am!

I am forever grateful for Your hand upon my life…I love You! 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

John 8:34-36

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

A Jewish slave was only supposed to serve for six years and go free in the seventh. 

Membership by birth was superior to membership by obligation. Faithlife Bible.

Jesus was speaking of spiritual slavery. Such a slave cannot break away from his bondage. He must have someone else set him free.

A slave was not a permanent resident of a house. A son remained a family member with family privileges forever. The application proves that the “Son” here is Jesus Christ. As a family member, the Son can bestow family privileges on others. NKJ Bible.

Christ in the gospel offers us freedom, he has power to do this, and those whom Christ makes free are really so. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Genesis 21:10 Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.”

Galatians 4:30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”

an.”

Matthew 21:9-11

Wisdom is knowing that it is nothing to do with us but everything to do with  JESUS.

Matthew 23:39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ ”

Matthew 21:9–11

9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

Hosanna in the highest!”

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

The crowd understood that Jesus was declaring Himself to be the Messiah. Their shouts of praise reflect Psalm 118:25–26. Faithlife Bible.

Hosanna literally means “save now” but it was used as an exclamation of joyous praise. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord is a quotation of Psalm118:26. NKJ Bible

Deuteronomy 18:15  “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,

Psalm 118:26  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.

John 6:14  Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

John 17:20-26

 All we need is His love inside us and to share that agape love with the world!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to die in our place. John 3:16

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 

John 17:20–26

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Jesus foreshadowed His imminent return to the Father through death and suffering. That time is now at hand. He continues to exemplify obedience to the Father, following the inevitable path to His glorification through crucifixion. Faithlife Bible.

Jesus not only prayed for those the Father had given Him but for all future believers—for their unity and their future glory. If you are a believer, these words are Jesus’ prayer for you.

The present tense of the verb “to be” indicates that Jesus was praying for the unity that takes place through the sanctification of believers. This is what Jesus was commanding. His followers had to love each other so that the world may believe in the reality of Jesus’ love. The loving relationship of believers to each other is the greatest witness to Jesus Christ.

The glory, the revelation of Jesus Christ through His disciples, is the means to unity. Such unity begins with belief and correct thinking about Jesus and God the Father, that is, with doctrine. But correct belief must bear fruit—a life that demonstrates God’s love and produces the unity between all the believers. 

The mutual indwelling of the Father in the Son and the Son in the church is also the means to unity, the ultimate expression of God’s love. May be with Me is a prayer for the future glorification of believers. The apostles saw Christ’s glory in His words and works. Christ prayed for all believers to behold His glory, unveiled in the full revelation of His deity. NKJ Bible.

Christ, as one with the Father, claimed on behalf of all that had been given to him, and should in due time believe on him, that they should be brought to heaven; and that there the whole company of the redeemed might behold his glory as their beloved Friend and Brother, and therein find happiness. He had declared and would further declare the name or character of God, by his doctrine and his Spirit, that, being one with him, the love of the Father to him might abide with them also. Thus, being joined to Him by one Spirit, they might be filled with all the fulness of God, and enjoy a blessedness of which we can form no right idea in our present state. Matthew Henry Commentary.

John 12:26  If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

John 15:9  “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

John 17:11  Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.

John 17:23  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Acts 9:13-18

God chooses whom He wills, not man .

The Holy Spirit guides, teaches and transforms those that He chooses to do the work of God.

Acts 9:13-18

13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

Ananias is concerned; the Lord is sending him to a vicious persecutor of the church.

There is irony surrounding the name of Jesus in His dialog with Ananias about Saul. Ananias objects that Saul has persecuted those who call on Jesus’ name, Jesus reveals that He has chosen and transformed Saul precisely so that he will carry that name to the Gentiles—and even suffer for it.

In welcoming Saul in this way, Ananias displays both his obedience to Jesus’ call and Saul’s full inclusion in the fellowship of the Church. Saul now receives the empowering of the Holy Spirit for his mission to the Gentiles. This is an anointing to fulfill a specific calling and mission placed on Saul by God.

Saul will also have a role spreading the gospel before kings and his fellow Israelites. Faithlife Bible.

So far in Acts, Christians have been called “disciples,” “believers,” and those belonging to “the Way”. Here the word saints is used. It means those set apart by God for use in His service. Saul was not dreaming on the road to Damascus but instead had seen the resurrected Lord. NKJ BIble.

The teaching of the Holy Spirit takes away the scales of ignorance and pride from the understanding; then the sinner becomes a new creature, and endeavours to recommend the anointed Saviour, the Son of God, to his former companions. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Acts 7:59  And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Acts 8:17  Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:2| As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

John 13:33-35

We never fully understand what life circumstances have shaped the foundation of another believer. 

Life interferes with our Christian walk until we lay it to rest and let Holy Spirit have His way in us.

We need to love others as Christ loves them. Gods’ agape love covers a multitude of sins.

John 13:33–35

33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus inserts this phrase into the commandment from Leviticus 19:18. The new part of the commandment is that Jesus’ disciples are instructed to love other people the way Jesus loved them—serving them like a slave would, as He does in this scene, even to the point of laying down their lives for others. Faithlife Bible.

The time had come for Jesus to announce His departure to His disciples. Little children is an expression of tender affection used nowhere else in the Gospels. John did not forget the expression; he used it repeatedly in 1 John.

The command to love was new because Jesus gave it a new standard. Moses said, “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Jesus said the new standard was as I have loved you. Jesus gave His disciples the example of love that they were to follow.

Unbelievers recognize Jesus’ disciples not by their doctrinal distinctives, nor by dramatic miracles, nor even by their love for the lost. They recognize His disciples by their deeds of love for one another. NKJ Bible.

Before Christ left the disciples, he would give them a new commandment. They were to love each other for Christ’s sake, and according to his example, seeking what might benefit others, and promoting the cause of the gospel, as one body, animated by one soul. But this commandment still appears new to many professors. Men in general notice any of Christ’s words rather than these. By this it appears, that if the followers of Christ do not show love one to another, they give cause to suspect their sincerity. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Leviticus 19:18  You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Mark 16:19  So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

John 7:33  Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

God, as a good and loving Father, opens our minds to the truth of Jesus Christ.

Seek Him and He will be found.

Knock and the door to truth will be opened.

He stands ready to answer you. Just ask!

2 Corinthians 4:1–6

4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

This ministry refers to the ministry of the Spirit and the ministry of righteousness. 

Despite his hardships and opposition, Paul remains encouraged in his proclamation of the message of reconciliation). He did not lose heart because God had already won victory through the resurrection of Jesus. Paul continues to contrast himself with itinerant teachers who preached the Word only for financial gain and distorted God’s Word. Paul acknowledges that some did not accept the gospel message—not because he obscured or hid anything from them), but because they were blinded by the work of evil forces and false teachers. Satan further blinds those who refuse to obey the gospel. Paul teaches that believers are to conform to the image of Christ just as Christ bears the image of God. 

Jesus as the Image of God

Paul and his companions focused their message on Christ’s divine nature as Lord. Paul’s remark suggests that some “false apostles” were presenting themselves as important rather than as servants. Just as God created the world, He now makes believers a new creation. Faithlife Bible. 

This ministry is the NT ministry, a ministry of the Spirit, of life, and of righteousness. It is a glorious ministry of liberty. 

Paul did not achieve this ministry by his own human ability but by God’s mercy. Lose heart means “to become weary,” “to become tired,” or “to despair.” No matter how difficult the task or how great the opposition, Paul did not retreat in silence but spoke boldly because he was motivated by the grace of God. Paul defended his ministry because it was based on the truthfulness of the Word of God.

Unbelievers have a barrier to overcome: the god of this age has blinded their minds. Because of Satan’s deception, sometimes what the world thinks is obviously true is painfully wrong. Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and He perfectly reveals God the Father to us. Although human beings have been created in the image of God, through sin they have fallen from a perfect relationship with God. Jesus Christ is restoring believers to what they were originally created to be. Paul’s message is that Jesus is divine. 

Paul describes himself and those who minister with him as slaves to people. They served the Corinthians for Jesus’ sake.

As God commanded the light to shine in the darkness at creation, so he “turns on” the light in peoples’ hearts so they can see who Jesus Christ is. People who do not believe are blinded by Satan. But believers see the light. NKJ Bible.

Christ by his gospel makes a glorious discovery to the minds of men. But the design of the devil is, to keep men in ignorance; and when he cannot keep the light of the gospel of Christ out of the world, he spares no pains to keep men from the gospel, or to set them against it. The rejection of the gospel is here traced to the wilful blindness and wickedness of the human heart. Self was not the matter or the end of the apostles’ preaching; they preached Christ as Jesus, the Saviour and Deliverer, who saves to the uttermost all that come to God through him. Matthew Henry Commentary.

2 Thessalonians 3:13  But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

2 Peter 1:19  And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

2 Peter 3:8-9

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to die in our place. John 3:16

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4

God wants no one to perish…no, not one!

Choose life…Choose Jesus!

2 Peter 3:8–9

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

God delays the second coming so that more people can be redeemed. The day Christ returns, His entire kingdom will be inaugurated and evil will be purged from the world.

God wishes for all people to come to faith and be saved. Jesus has not returned yet because God desires that none be lost (or perish). Every day before Jesus returns is a day of grace and represents the possibility of more people turning to Him and receiving eternal life. God desires that none perish; however, this will ultimately be a necessary consequence of the world becoming good and holy again, as God will not force His will upon those who resist it. Faithlife Bible.

God will surely accomplish His purposes and promises, even though it may appear that He is slow in doing so. His timing is always perfect.

The delay of God’s judgment is not due to slackness, but to the Lord’s longsuffering attitude toward His people. This text does not teach that God actually decrees that all will be saved (universalism). The reference here is not to God’s decree, but to His desire. Obviously everything that a sovereign God decrees will occur. Here Peter is describing the sovereign God’s desire that all people would turn to Him and turn away from unprofitable lives. NKJ Bible.

Psalm 90:4 For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night.

Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’

1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Daniel 12:1-3

 Today is our 15th Anniversary. We met 16 years ago, a Decorative Artist and a Woodman. God’s hand has been in this from the very beginning. We were equally yoked then and to this day…I am so very thankful. On our own we would have failed once again. With Your hand all things meant to destroy us are turned for our good. I love you!!

It is as easy as 1.2.3. Place your life into His loving arms. Because He cares for you. Choose Jesus!!

Daniel 12:1-3

12 “At that time Michael shall stand up,

The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;

And there shall be a time of trouble,

Such as never was since there was a nation,

Even to that time.

And at that time your people shall be delivered,

Every one who is found written in the book.

2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,

Some to everlasting life,

Some to shame and everlasting contempt.

3 Those who are wise shall shine

Like the brightness of the firmament,

And those who turn many to righteousness

Like the stars forever and ever.

Describes the persecution under Antiochus IV. In this verse, Michael arises to the Israelites’ defense, particularly in response to Antiochus’ return from battle to quell a rebellion. However, it is unclear how Antiochus dies.

In Hebrew, significant allusions to the Servant Song in Isaiah 52:13–53:12 are evident. These linguistic links reflect a conscious understanding of Isaiah 53 as a text about resurrection. Just as the Suffering Servant figure is resurrected and restored to a relationship with God, His people also will be resurrected and restored to a relationship with Him. The allusions serve to connect God’s people with the Suffering Servant, so that God’s servant—Israel is resurrected.  The concept of judgment also is implicit here, with some receiving eternal life and others eternal contempt. In Daniel, the servant who is resurrected represents a group of people (“the many”), whereas in Isaiah 53:10–11 the Resurrected Servant  is an individual. In old testament theology, the two are closely identified. Faithlife Bible.

At that time refers to the “time of the end”, the end of the evil king at the Second Coming of Christ. A time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation refers to the period of tribulation just prior to the coming of Christ. Those who shall be delivered are those whose names are written in the book of life, God’s record of those who have been justified by faith.

Sleep is a euphemism for death, as the context in the dust of the earth illustrates. Awake is a reference to resurrection. Though this passage appears to refer to a general resurrection, other passages suggest that there is more than one. It is not unusual for prophecy in the Old Testament to present events separated by a considerable span of time as if they occurred in immediate relationship to each other. Daniel is simply saying that after the tribulation, many—both righteous and wicked—will be raised. This resurrection of many of the righteous seems to be a reference to the resurrection of Israel.

The wise not only understand salvation themselves, they also turn many others to the way of righteousness. NKJ Bible.

Jeremiah 30:7  Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; and it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

Daniel 9:12  And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem.

Daniel 10:21  But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.