Happy Monday! Last week we began reading 2 Corinthians 12 where Paul continues to defend himself and those who accompanied him on his journeys or in place of him. Paul didn’t make an attempt to persevere his reputation, he trusted God to be judge and juror over the situation. However, he hoped to clarify his concerns for the Corinthian church. Join me as we continue from where we left of on Friday.

“¹⁶ Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. ¹⁷ But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? ¹⁸ When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way.

¹⁹ Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. ²⁰ For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. ²¹ Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.” – 2 Corinthians 12:16-21 NLT

Paul did not sugar coat his letter. He knew the reports on the church had valid reasons. In an attempt to curb behavior and bring the Corinthian church to repentance he spoke of the things – the lifestyles they once were involved with before they became Christians and had found their way into the church.

Those behaviors included:

• quarreling
• jealousy
• anger
• selfishness
• slander
• gossip
• arrogance
• disorderly behavior

Paul spent a great amount of time ministering to the Corinthian church. He lead them to Christ and many had repented, but somewhere along their journey they found themselves back in the same place they started and false apostles helped them to continue their self-serving behaviors.

Sisters and brother, let us not be like the Corinthian church Paul described in these verses. If you have reverted back to behaviors that you were once delivered from, it’s time to have an open conversation with the Lord, ask for his help in these areas of your life and ask for forgiveness. It’s not too late. God gives us the ability to change. Galatians 5:22-26 states: But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. ²⁵ Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Allow the Holy Spirit to change you.

Father God, thank you for today. Thank you for another opportunity to look in the mirror and see ourselves as we are. Thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who made a way for us to turn away from the things that have kept us bound to sin, bitterness, jealousy and thoughts of evil. Lord, we don’t want to live that way. Lord, help us to separate from the things that pull us away from you. Fill our spirit with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Lord, as we sit in our homes or are on our jobs, help us to think about your love and how we can display it. Keep us attuned to your voice and give us a heart that desires obedience to you. Lord, continue to hold the world in your hand. Heal your children. Humble our hearts and spirits. Improve our relationship with You. In Jesus name, amen.

Keep praying, the Lord hears you! Keep seeking! Keep trusting the process!

#LivingBeyondAverage #20/20Vision #Refocus #StayFocused

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