September 9, 2022 - 2 Corinthians 6-10

Paul writes: “For even if I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it—even though I did regret it since I saw that the letter grieved you, yet only for a little while. Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance” (7:8,9). Just a reminder that life in Christ is ultimately about our holiness, not about our immediate comfort or pleasure or ease. This is a theme that Paul mentions on various occasions, for instance, Romans 5: affliction produces endurance, which produces character, which produces hope. And in 2 Corinthians 4: “We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus' life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh” (vss. 10,11).

Daily, we are becoming more and more like Jesus. And, one day, we will be perfectly holy even as he is!

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,

Each thought and each motive beneath His control.

Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above. -- William D. Longstaff (1882)