October 25, 2025 - 2 Corinthians 9-13

Maybe I’ll just finish out 2 Corinthians in the vein I have started, i.e., selected verses.  Let’s start with:  "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully . . . for God loves a cheerful giver” (9:6,8).  This is not a get rich scheme; rather, it is an encouragement for us to be generous with what God has given to us.  God is pleased when we live in such a manner.

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (9:5).  Along with that thought:  “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (9:17).  There are many things, good things, in this world to think about and to enjoy.  But the greatest and most satisfying is thought about God.  How does Paul put it, in another place?  “Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

Finally, when facing hardships, how often have we been encouraged by Paul’s words and example!  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. . . . For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong” (12:9,10).  There’s much more here, but it’s just sort of amazing, I think, how often we quote from this epistle, and maybe, we don’t always realize it.

And are we yet alive,

and see each other’s face?

Glory and praise to Jesus give

for His redeeming grace!

Preserved by pow’r divine

to full salvation here,

again in Jesus' praise we join,

and in His sight appear.

Let us take up the cross

till we the crown obtain,

and gladly reckon all things loss

so we may Jesus gain.   -- Charles Wesley (1749)