Spirit of Liberty

 2 Corinth 3:17
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

We were once in bondage to sin and the law. Servants to sin that controlled our lives. But Christ has set us free from sin. Sin is no longer Lord over us. The Holy Spirit who leads us to experience a full surrender to His will and control is now our Lord. We now have the freedom to approach the throne of God. We have been delivered from the bondage of sin and now can live a life of liberty to show God’s love to the world. Sin keeps us from doing what is right, it is a road block from obeying God when He speaks to our heart. The world’s concept of being free is to do whatever you desire without any thought of how it may affect others or how it may lead to harmful consequences. Liberty in Christ is not a license to disregard the commandments of God and behave in a manner that will reflect a negative influence on the Christian life. Paul warns the Galatians: You have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. The Holy Spirit is our truth detector. He will lead us into all truth, and the truth will set us free and keep us free. True liberty comes when we are set free to live how God wants us to live without any inhibition or fear of what the world might think.

Seeing What is Eternal

 2 Corinth 4:18
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The Scriptures say that life on earth is like a vapor. Vapor quickly dissipates into the air. We look at a pot of water that is boiling and see that as the water heats up, it evaporates. It turns into steam. We temporally see it move in the air, then it is gone. Like vapor, our life on earth is much the same, we are tempted to fix our eyes on earthly things. We work hard to build wealth and security. We desire things in this world that bring a sense of satisfaction. The temporal things of this life have their attractions. But for the person who has been born again, and experiences the eternal forgiveness of Christ, we set our affections on things above and not on things of this world. True contentment does not come from the earthly treasures of life, for they are short-lived and will fade away in the light of eternity. The saying that, “Seeing is believing” is flawed by the reality that there is more to life than what is seen with the naked eye. “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am also known.” (1 Corinth 13:12). Life on earth happens, and in this world we will have tribulations. But be of good cheer, for we live not for this world, but for a better world whose builder and maker is God.

Exalted Above Measure

 2Corinth 12:7
​​And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

One of Paul’s temptations in his life was to think that he was someone great. He had reason to “brag” about himself. “Circumcised on the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; according to the law, a Pharisee;” (Phil 3:5.) He was brought up in the city at the feet of Gamaliel, a respected member of the Sanhedrin, a teacher of the law of Moses. He was charged by the high council with eliminating this new uprising of people who claim that Jesus was the Messiah. 
Paul was a man filled with the Holy Spirit, who consecrated his life to doing the work of God. He was not ruled by the carnal nature, he was a man sanctified wholly to do the will of God. Yet, he was tempted to think of himself more highly than others. Satan would tempt him to exalt himself above measure. To think his abilities were the driving force in spreading the gospel of Christ. Being sanctified does not immune one from temptation. Satan works to scatter the power of God’s people (Dan 12:7) and sees those who have great influence fall. God was faithful to send Paul a “throne in the flesh”, something that would affect his humanity. Causing him to struggle and keep him from boasting and depending on his own strength. He realized that the charge given to him could not be made by any ability of his own, that he needed God to give him the grace to do what was needed. Acknowledging our weakness in not admitting to defeat. It is an opportunity to show the awesomeness of God’s grace and power to work in us and through us. He desires that we provide Him with a vessel, an earthen vessel to do what He wants to accomplish in us and in the world around us. 

My Grace is Sufficient

 2 Corinth 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul, the great Apostle of Jesus Christ was given a “thorn in the flesh” that was a constant temptation to question his faith. Satan used it against him to weaken his resolve. It is not clear what this “thorn in the flesh” was, but it was big enough that Paul requested 3 times for it to be removed. Paul surmised that it was put there to keep him humbled and depended on Christ. It reminded him how human he was, and how great God’s grace is to help him in his suffering, and overcome the obstacles that are set before him. When we come to the end of our endurance, realize the weakness of our humanity, His grace is sufficient. Sometimes God has to bring us to that place in our lives when we must trust in the power of Christ to see us through. The mighty arm of the flesh will fail us. Man’s ego, when not submitted to God can cause us to depend on our own strength and abilities, like Nebuchadnezzar, we can be exalted above measure. Paul asked that this thorn be removed, but God’s will was for it to remain. Paul, a man of prayer and faith, did not question God, but accepted God's control and will over his life. Things will come into our lives that will be a “thorn in the flesh”, But Christ, who knows what is best for us, says, “My grace is sufficient, keep trusting Me.”

Cheerful Giver

 2 Corinth 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
The motivation to give for a cause should be based on our desire to help build the kingdom of God, and reach out in some way to help someone who has a need. We live in a world where everyone is looking out for self, and seeking to gain just a little more. This is demonstrated when Jesus spoke about the man who wanted to tear down his barn and build bigger ones to store his riches. (Luke 12:18). There is no wrong in wanting to increase your financial standing. We are told to be good stewards of what God has given us. Being forced to give what God has allowed us to earn is not really giving from the heart. Out of necessity, we pay taxes, we don’t give taxes. Out of necessity (the principle of tithing) we pay ten percent of our earnings to God’s work. This giving was established in the OT to support the work of the priesthood.  Paul says, don’t let your giving be done because you're compelled by some law, but let your giving be done from the heart with cheerfulness that you are doing it for God and His cause. The principle of reaping and sowing is demonstrated in how you give. The more you give cheerfully, the more God’s grace will be abound to you. Delight in giving of your means to the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart, and always provide you with what you need

Simplicity in Christ

 2 Corinth 11:3

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

It is possible to be deceived even when you have good intentions. Not everyone that says, “Lord, Lord.” will be true followers of Christ. Paul continues to warn believers that there will be those out there that will not be teaching sound doctrine, that they will preach Christ, but not the simplicity of His teachings and the purpose of His coming. The sound doctrine of Christ is that He was born of a virgin, His Deity as the Son of God, came to die, to pay the penalty for the sins of man, providing salvation to whosoever will believe in Him. He rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and sits currently at the right hand of the Father. He is more than a good prophet, teaching us how to live. He is the only way to heaven. “I Am the truth and the way, no man comes to the Father except by me.” This is the simplicity that is in Christ.

We are Pressed Out

 2 Corinth 1:8
…we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

Paul despaired of his physical life. He was spent and exhausted from the physical abuse he was enduring because of proclaiming that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God who the Jews put to death. He was a wanted man who stood up to the religious leaders of his day. Most of us who live in the US aren’t facing physical persecution. That day may some day come, but we still live in the land of the free, a country that, for the most part, allows us to believe in Christ. The persecution and pressure we face today is the battle of truth. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to stand for the truth of God’s word without being called a bigot, racist, or narrow-minded. The pressure is on to conform to the philosophy of this world. To adapt to the anti-God culture of the woke ideology. Christians are faced with ridicule and are called haters if they dare to stand for the truth of God’s word. In times like these, we need to call on God to give us strength and wisdom to face problems with love and grace. Even when under pressure, we can show the love of God in a messed up world.