2 Corinthians 4:1-6 – “Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged.  ² But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God. ³ But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing, ⁴ among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word, two things gripped my consciousness—the darkness of the hour and the light of God’s grace, a contrast easily witnessed today.

In 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul spoke of people blinded by the devil.  That blindness blocks faith from their hearts.   It puts a veil on them and imprisons their minds and, thereby, their hearts.  The darkness of the darkness is very dark.  He reveals that the gospel is like a giant spotlight that illuminates the door to freedom.

In 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, he unwraps a truth often overlooked in today’s church.   Dying to self-releases the life of Jesus to others.   His life can only flow to and through us as we are emptied of self.   His life brings life!

We sometimes fail to see our purpose and potential because we look at life and problems wrongly.   2 Corinthians 4:17-18 is the proper view; we are to view our slight, short-lived troubles in light of eternity.   We must look beyond the visible into the invisible.   We must look beyond what we see and feel into His Promises.  We must avoid backward thinking (2 Corinthians 5:12) and become doorkeepers for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:5).

This view of Christ and life produces a life that exudes purity, spiritual insight, patience, kindness, holiness, and Agape love.   That translates to ministry to others, enabling us to teach Truth, exhibit God’s power, and use our weapons of warfare effectively.   A sword in one hand and a shield in the other (offense and defense).    The key to persistence is reflected in verse 10, “We may suffer, yet in every season, we are ALWAYS found rejoicing.”

As we become wholly His and He becomes LORD, not just Savior, we exhibit or demonstrate a life.  That in itself is a sermon.  In 2 Corinthians 8:7, we begin to exhibit “unstoppable faith in powerful preaching, in revelation knowledge, in your passionate devotion, and in sharing the love we have shown to you.  So, make sure that you also excel in grace-filled generosity.”

To be complete, we must come to the place where all we are and have belongs to Him!  We have received His extravagant grace; it is impossible to have that grace self-contained or keep it from flowing out to others.

2 Corinthians 4:5 is a key: “We don’t preach ourselves, but rather the Lordship of Jesus Christ…”   Only as He becomes Lord can we know the fullness of Salvation.   If we are immersed in Jesus, we have life living in us.  That Life is unstoppable!  That Life is the doorway out of the darkness.  That Life is our mission and commission.

If it is “in” us, it will flow out from us.   The extent to which it is “in” us will be revealed by the extent to which it flows out from us. God has no secret service followers.   If it is “in” us, it will flow out of us.   So, let it flow, let it flow, and let it flow!  The victory is “in” you!   Today would be a great day to let it flow from you. As it flows out of you, even more flows into you!

We have the pathway to true freedom now!   Have a fantastic day, and keep looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!

I Corinthians 5:6 – “Boasting over your tolerance of sin is inappropriate. Don’t you understand that even a small compromise with sin permeates the entire fellowship, just as a little leaven permeates a batch of dough?”

As I prayed, read, and pondered the Word, the Holy Spirit challenged me deeply.   I quickly discovered that His focus was purity, not ritualistic acts but true heart purity.

In the Church in Corinth, there was a particular scandal that Paul addressed in chapter 5. It was a sexual sin.   That is an issue but not the issue the Holy Spirit was nudging me to consider.   They were engaged in a mindset that is prevalent today.     The demand to be non-offensive and tolerant falsely thinking that is the heart of God.   God is incredibly patient, long-suffering, and tolerant but also Holy.

We need to understand that sometimes, even a “small compromise”  is dangerous to our spiritual health.   In 1 Corinthians 6:9, Paul gives a sobering warning. “Surely you must know that people who practice evil cannot possess God’s kingdom realm. Stop being deceived!” He then gives an extensive list of unacceptable lifestyles and says, “These will not inherit God’s kingdom realm.”

I Corinthians 6:15 is an eye-opener about our union with Jesus.   If we grasp this reality, the sins of the flesh become so repulsive we will run from them. “Don’t you know that your bodies belong to Christ as Hid body parts?”   As His body parts, therefore, think of what we do if we engage in immortality as believers.   We are His body parts.   What an insult to Him to take His body parts into an illicit encounter.

That situation is just one area of consideration.   The message was that even a small compromise with sin was detrimental.  We are One with Him.   We are His body parts on earth; therefore, rather than trying to be overly tolerant, we must present purity of heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit.

1 Corinthians 7:17 – “But one who joins himself to the Lord is mingled into one spirit with Him.”  Jesus will never endorse, justify, excuse, or tolerate sin.   He forgives it.   He died for it.   He conquered it, but sin is never part of the kingdom realm.

If we are going to live victoriously, walk powerfully, and win others, we must be transformed and like Him.    The world does not need excessive tolerance; it needs Jesus!    Jesus is always pure!   If we detested sin, like we do things we don’t like or prefer in the natural, we would become more like Him and impact the world for Him.

He is pure, and His purity will not cohabit with impurity. Small compromises are deadly. It is not legalism and performance, but pure hearts are the goal.  In purity, we discover His power! In compromise, we shame Him.

Have a great day in Jesus, and set your heart on seeking purity in all things and at all times!