November 13, 2026 - 2 Corinthians 5-9

“Since we have these promises . . .” (7:1).  What promises?  Forgiveness of sins.  Triumph.  A new covenant.  The gospel.  A heavenly dwelling.  Reconciliation. God dwelling with us.  That is, because of all these realities, we ought, no, we must live in a certain fashion, “bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (7:1).  In fact, Paul had previously written to the Corinthians very harshly (7:8), but that rebuke and warning brought about a godly grief that led to repentance (7:9). 

One of the most obvious differences between a believer and an unbeliever is not that the one is without sin while the other sins.  Rather, it is that the former, when confronted with his sin, repents with a godly sorrow.

A couple additional statements from these chapters:  “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (8:9)  & “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully . . . God loves a cheerful giver” (9:6,7).  A lot going on here as Paul reflects on the genuine Christian life.

Jesus comes with all his grace,

comes to save a fallen race,

object of our glorious hope,

Jesus comes to lift us up.

Let the living stones cry out,

every child of Abraham shout;

praise we all our lowly King,

give him thanks, rejoice and sing.

He has our salvation wrought,

he our captive souls has bought,

he has reconciled to God,

he has washed us in his blood.

We are now his lawful right,

walk as children of the light;

we shall soon obtain the grace,

pure in heart, to see his face.

We shall gain our calling's prize;

after God we all shall rise,

filled with joy, and love, and peace,

perfected in holiness.   --Charles Wesley (1749)