Day 329

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Scripture

November 24—2 Corinthians 6-9: The Gospel: Its Motivation and Model

Observation

Being a partner in the gospel means, first and foremost, allowing the gospel to have its life-changing effect in you! As a fellow worker in the gospel ministry, Paul exhorts the Corinthians not to receive the grace of God in an empty, purposeless way. Fellowship with darkness, filthiness or the flesh and spirit, and insensitivity to the financial needs of others around you—all are inconsistent with the grace of God. Those truly motivated by the gospel will try to avoid being "teamed with those who do not love the Lord" (6:14), to live "in the wholesome fear of God" (7:1), and to give cheerfully, "for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes" (9:7).

Application

If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Here is a family or group project that is guaranteed to be a memorable experience for all involved. Sit down around the dinner table, and take turns sharing ways in which the gospel has affected your life. Think of the different parts of your everyday schedule: business, home, neighborhood, school, church, job, date life, leisure time. How many evidences can you detect that Christ has made a difference in your priorities, your friends, your ambitions, your methods . . . in short, your lifestyle? If you died, leaving behind nothing except your checkbook, appointment calendar, and Bible, what would others conclude about your life? What would you want them to conclude?

You can't relive yesterday, but you can plan for tomorrow. What will you do differently with the next twenty-four-hour gift from God to show the world that "you are God's temple, the home of the living God" (6:16)? Let the evidence speak for itself!

Prayer

We thank you, Lord, for the knowledge in your Word that you are able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. Our prayers are all about you and your ability to do that which goes far beyond our human thoughts, human words, human imaginations, human desires and human needs. We have faith in our prayers which goes forward by your very power because of our faith. Lord, help us to keep the kind of faith that that you are pleased with. We stand guilty and and convicted for living the Gospel of Jesus Christ through your Word and our faith. To you be all the glory forever and ever. In Jesus' name! Amen! 

Guilty as Charged: Convicted Christians!



© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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