Author: Aaron Hufty

Re:Verse reading 2 Corinthian 12:1-10 (day two) 

Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. vs. 8

Sometimes God says no. Intellectually we understand this. We can’t get everything we want or ask for, right? We appreciate that we don’t always know the best path forward for our lives, and that God sees the bigger picture. But surely, surely God would remove something that is painful from us in order to better serve him, right? Well, no. Paul, reluctantly, admits that God in his wisdom has chosen to not remove this thorn in order that any good result of Paul’s ministry will be rightly attributed to God. He knows us and our tendencies. Sometimes we need a governor (pardon the NASCAR reference) on our hearts in order to maintain focus on Jesus. If he says no, don’t wallow. You are in good company. He will give you what you need to cope with your circumstances.

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 10 (day two)

We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. vs. 5b

Lord, capture my thoughts. How often have you let your mind run rampant over God’s will for your life? How often have you received a word from the Lord and then listened to the doubts and fears of the deceiver? This simple and powerful prayer has been one of the most profound in my Christian walk. I’m a smart guy. I can figure it out. I don’t need help. STOP – Lord, capture my thoughts. I have prayed these exact words countless times when I feel my own will trying to supersede God’s.

There is a caveat, however. It’s in the heart of belief. I have found that I truly believe that God can intercede and take those mis-directed thoughts and turn them to his glory. The words are simple, the truth: profound. Do you feel your mind filled with thoughts that are contrary to God’s design and plan for your life? Surrender them to him, and trust that he will deliver you.

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 7:5-16 (day two) 

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. vs. 10

Sometimes to get forward you must take a step backwards, or at least pause. Paul knows that his words wounded the Corinthian believers, but only so far as it exposed their sin which ultimately led to the joy of repentance and restoration. There are two very valuable lessons here. First, we must not be afraid to speak the truth in love. If our motivation is truly to help our brother or sister, we should speak the words they need to hear. Withholding words because they could hurt may ultimately do more damage. Secondly, we should not be afraid to take a step back ourselves. Sometimes we can be so focused on getting ahead we are unwilling to do anything that might “set us back.” This is prideful arrogance. We know better. Take stock, do a personal inventory, and get right. Sorrow can lead to real joy.

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 4 (day two)

For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Vs. 6

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. John 1:9-11

Light over darkness – familiar theme. Jesus is a dawn breaking in our hearts that shines on all that was in shadow. Things in the light cannot be hidden, they are to be dealt with and surrendered. Things in the light also shine in a way that they could never have without the light source. We are greater with Christ shining in us, on us, and through us than we could ever possibly imagine ourselves to be otherwise.

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.  C.S. Lewis

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 1:12-24, 2:1-11 (day two) 

For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil. Matthew 5:37

Integrity is a big deal. Whatever you may think of someone’s beliefs there is a sense of honor that comes from keeping your word. Paul understood this. He spoke hard truths. His words cut, and he often encountered opposition, but he was true. Whatever else we may be, let us follow that example. Not perfection, mind you, but a call to know who we are in Christ and to not waver from that commitment in the public square or our own private prayers. Stay true.

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (day two) 

who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. vs. 4

Later in the New Testament James will record that the trials we endure should produce patience. (James 1:2) Did you ever consider that your trials, or as Paul refers to them here, afflictions, actually prepare you to empathize with others? This is not out of character for the gospel at all when you consider Jesus who gave up so much to walk among us, feel our burdens, encounter temptation, resistance, and persecution. Jesus’ ability to say “I understand” is one of the most remarkable characteristics of our remarkable God. This is not lost on Paul. We cannot attain Christ’s perfection, but we are able to see how God worked in our afflictions and as such we are able to share and comfort.

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 15:3-20, 35-44, 50-57 (day two) and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Vs. 14

This was a familiar refrain of both Billy Graham and C. S. Lewis. They would come at it from different ways in their preaching and writing, but the essence of this passage from Paul was clear: Either Christ is what he says he is, or he isn’t. There is so much summed up in that statement. There can be no halfway with Jesus. You can’t talk about how he loved the poor and disenfranchised and then deny the power of the cross. Jesus’ death and resurrection is also a call to action. A call to repentance and a restored walk with our creator. The power of the resurrection is hope for humanity, hope for you and me. In order for us to truly embrace all that Jesus was in his earthly ministry we must never deny the power of the cross and the hope of the resurrection. It happened – I believe.

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 13 (day two) 

And I show you a still more excellent way. 12:31b

Like the tremendous teacher that Paul was, he spent the entirety of the previous chapter setting us up for this discourse on Love. When we truly understand our gifts in the context of love and surrender to Jesus, there is so much more clarity in our walk. Notice in chapter 13 how Paul uses the same gifts that he had discussed in detail in 12: tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith. Now, however, he puts a qualifier on them all – LOVE. Without it the greatest gifts bestowed to us are useless. Too hard a word? I don’t think so. Everything seasoned with love is more powerful, more useful.

Do an inventory. What gifts have been given to you? How will love make them better?

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 12:4-31 (day two) 

Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. vs. 27

As a conductor I have always loved reading this scripture and relating it to a musical ensemble; especially an orchestra. When you consider an offertory the our Orchestra at First may present think about how unique each instrument is. They are oddly shaped ones, brass ones, wooden ones, percussive ones. They each make different sounds, have different ranges, and play different roles. If you are to take one of those instruments out of the ensemble, the work of art is less than it could be. Less than it was created to be. Even those instruments that predominantly play the melody will be diminished by not being accompanied by the whole group. A composer knows this when writing for an orchestra. Every part is critical to the whole.

God knows this too. There are no small parts (pardon the mixed metaphor), all contribute. Revel in the beauty of his diverse church. Help those around to play their part to the fullest so that we may all offer our sweet smelling sacrifice of praise.