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21 July 2008
Word on the Web
2 Corinthians 8:23-24
Now about Titus - he is my partner who is working with me to help you. And about the other brothers - they are sent from the churches, and they bring glory to Christ. So show these men the proof of your love and the reason we are proud of you. Then all the churches can see it.
Have you ever met one of those Christians who was so full of Jesus that just being in their presence made you feel closer to God? People whose faith was just so real it couldn't be hidden. On the other hand have you ever met one of those Christians who said all the right things, went to all the right meetings but there was just something about them that made you ... suspicious?...cautious?...apprehensive? People who, although they did all the right things, their faith seemed a little ... fake?
What we see in these two verses is Paul's emphasis on the real deal. Titus and the other brothers Paul is sending to the Corinthians are described as "Bring[ing] glory to Christ". Their actions prompted by the faith they have in Christ has proved to Paul that they are genuine in their love and commitment to Jesus. Paul then urges the Corinthians, who will receive Titus and the others, to "show these men proof of your love and the reason we are proud of you." He wants the Corinthians to also bring glory to Christ through their actions.
In a world where idols were rife, Paul is pleading with those who have come to faith in Jesus to be different from those around them, to be real in their faith. The same is true for each of us today. We live in a world where anyone can claim anything, we need to be people who are the real deal, proving our faith in the one we claim to follow, bringing glory to Christ in all we do not just say so that all who see us can see God through us. As James says " ... Faith by itself - that does nothing - is dead" (James 2:17)
Heavenly Father, help me to be real in my faith, to look for opportunities to prove my love for you and your Son. Help me to remember that you ask for us to come to you just as we are, not pretending, not perfect and that you promise to mould us into people more like your Son.
Written by Nancy Howell
Word on the Web
2 Corinthians 8:23-24
Now about Titus - he is my partner who is working with me to help you. And about the other brothers - they are sent from the churches, and they bring glory to Christ. So show these men the proof of your love and the reason we are proud of you. Then all the churches can see it.
Have you ever met one of those Christians who was so full of Jesus that just being in their presence made you feel closer to God? People whose faith was just so real it couldn't be hidden. On the other hand have you ever met one of those Christians who said all the right things, went to all the right meetings but there was just something about them that made you ... suspicious?...cautious?...apprehensive? People who, although they did all the right things, their faith seemed a little ... fake?
What we see in these two verses is Paul's emphasis on the real deal. Titus and the other brothers Paul is sending to the Corinthians are described as "Bring[ing] glory to Christ". Their actions prompted by the faith they have in Christ has proved to Paul that they are genuine in their love and commitment to Jesus. Paul then urges the Corinthians, who will receive Titus and the others, to "show these men proof of your love and the reason we are proud of you." He wants the Corinthians to also bring glory to Christ through their actions.
In a world where idols were rife, Paul is pleading with those who have come to faith in Jesus to be different from those around them, to be real in their faith. The same is true for each of us today. We live in a world where anyone can claim anything, we need to be people who are the real deal, proving our faith in the one we claim to follow, bringing glory to Christ in all we do not just say so that all who see us can see God through us. As James says " ... Faith by itself - that does nothing - is dead" (James 2:17)
Heavenly Father, help me to be real in my faith, to look for opportunities to prove my love for you and your Son. Help me to remember that you ask for us to come to you just as we are, not pretending, not perfect and that you promise to mould us into people more like your Son.
Written by Nancy Howell
