"If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attentive unto the prayer that is made in this place, for now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that My Name may be there forever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually." II Chronicles 7:14-16)
In ending his message to the Church of God at Corinth, Paul wrote, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion [fellowship] of the Holy Ghost [be] with you all, Amen." (II Corinthians 13:14)
If we end here however, we miss the crux. For example, apostle Paul states that this was the "third time" he had come proclaiming a message to the church of God at Corinth. In fact, it is easy to sense his frustration with those who continued to sin after hearing the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. This may explain why Paul quoted from the old testament, saying, "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall EVERY WORD be established." (II Corinthians 13:1; II Corinthians 12:14; Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15) Because in the presence of two or three witnesses, there will be the Lord Jesus in the midst also. But I digress.
Apostle Paul continues to speak to those who professed to believe at Corinth by saying, "I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other that if I come again, I will not spare: since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you ..." (II Corinthians 13:2)
In other words, it is not weak to share our testimony with others. Why? Because Jesus is our all in all. God manifest in the flesh, and dwelling among us, so that we might have life more abundantly. The Comforter dwelling within, as promised from afore -- the Holy Ghost. Certainly, Paul understood that even in times of trouble, the Lord is there walking side by side with us. That He parts the waters when the enemy comes in like a flood. Or, calms the waters when it seems like there is no hope.
The important point? That is this same Jesus, whom is both Lord and Christ He is always there, leading and guiding us into all truth. He takes us beside the still waters, and if we desire the goodness and mercy of the Lord in our hearts, He helps us to fulfill His will -- the same purpose that He placed in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb.
So that we can always remember, "though He was crucified through weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you." (II Corinthians 13:4)
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after 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, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled .... But he that glories, let him glory in the Lord -- for not he that commends himself is approved but whom the Lord commends." (II Corinthians 10:3-4, 17-18; I Peter 3:18; Romans 1:4; 6:4)
Therefore, when we walk by faith, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ for our life sustenance -- our daily bread -- our souls rejoice in both our salvation AND in the Name of our God. What is His Name in this current dispensation of grace? His Name is JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins. Emmanuel -- God with us. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. The prince of peace. The King of kings and Lord of lords. Our all in all!
And thus, it is the gospel of Christ that we share in our day to day. Not another gospel, or another Jesus, or another spirit which ye have not received, or another gospel which ye have not accepted but the truth of Christ our Lord God and Saviour. Thy Word is truth! (John 17:17; Acts 2:1-47; Titus 3:4-7)
The same apostolic doctrine preached by the apostles -- to repent, and be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, so that we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The anointing that leads and guides us in the way of the Lord. So that we can hear His message in our hearts.
If we end here however, we miss the crux. For example, apostle Paul states that this was the "third time" he had come proclaiming a message to the church of God at Corinth. In fact, it is easy to sense his frustration with those who continued to sin after hearing the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. This may explain why Paul quoted from the old testament, saying, "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall EVERY WORD be established." (II Corinthians 13:1; II Corinthians 12:14; Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15) Because in the presence of two or three witnesses, there will be the Lord Jesus in the midst also. But I digress.
Apostle Paul continues to speak to those who professed to believe at Corinth by saying, "I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other that if I come again, I will not spare: since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you ..." (II Corinthians 13:2)
In other words, it is not weak to share our testimony with others. Why? Because Jesus is our all in all. God manifest in the flesh, and dwelling among us, so that we might have life more abundantly. The Comforter dwelling within, as promised from afore -- the Holy Ghost. Certainly, Paul understood that even in times of trouble, the Lord is there walking side by side with us. That He parts the waters when the enemy comes in like a flood. Or, calms the waters when it seems like there is no hope.
The important point? That is this same Jesus, whom is both Lord and Christ He is always there, leading and guiding us into all truth. He takes us beside the still waters, and if we desire the goodness and mercy of the Lord in our hearts, He helps us to fulfill His will -- the same purpose that He placed in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb.
So that we can always remember, "though He was crucified through weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you." (II Corinthians 13:4)
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after 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, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled .... But he that glories, let him glory in the Lord -- for not he that commends himself is approved but whom the Lord commends." (II Corinthians 10:3-4, 17-18; I Peter 3:18; Romans 1:4; 6:4)
Therefore, when we walk by faith, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ for our life sustenance -- our daily bread -- our souls rejoice in both our salvation AND in the Name of our God. What is His Name in this current dispensation of grace? His Name is JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins. Emmanuel -- God with us. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. The prince of peace. The King of kings and Lord of lords. Our all in all!
And thus, it is the gospel of Christ that we share in our day to day. Not another gospel, or another Jesus, or another spirit which ye have not received, or another gospel which ye have not accepted but the truth of Christ our Lord God and Saviour. Thy Word is truth! (John 17:17; Acts 2:1-47; Titus 3:4-7)
The same apostolic doctrine preached by the apostles -- to repent, and be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, so that we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The anointing that leads and guides us in the way of the Lord. So that we can hear His message in our hearts.
"Now know I that the Lord saves His anointed; He will hear him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. [While] some trust in chariots, and some in horses: we will remember the Name of the Lord our God ...." (Psalms 20:5-9)
Indeed, we will. Thank you Jesus for your endless mercy and love for your beloved people. Stand in the offering plate.
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