Author: Aaron Hufty

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.

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 8 and 1 Corinthians 10:22-33 (day two) All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 10:23

If I can have it, and I want it…I should get it, right? Notice nothing in that question stated motive or circumstance. If you can have something, meaning it is not immoral, illegal, or harmful, then why should there be a problem getting what you want?

Here is Paul stated another way: Just because you can do something, it does not mean that you should do that thing.

If we have a Christian world-view our hearts should constantly burn for an unbelieving world. If abstinence from some activity will help strengthen your witness, are you willing to give up a behavior? Paul is reminding us that the action in question may not be “bad”, but we are called to consider others. There are larger issues at stake than our own creature comforts and desires. Is being a stumbling block to your unsaved friends worth it?

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 5 (day two) 

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? vs. 6

One of my collegiate choir directors was always fond of saying “You’ve got to clean out the cage before anyone can enjoy the bird!” In terms of music he was saying that you must sing in tune before what your are saying or singing can truly be appreciated. You can have the most incredible text, or lovely melody line, but if you are out of tune – no one cares.

Our sin is like that too. It often gets in the way of any good that we are called to do. If we continue, unrepentant, our sin will derail even the best motive. Are you hoping that doing a good thing will make up for the sin that you are reluctant to release? It will never work that way. Clean the cage, and let the beauty of God shine.

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 3:1-17 (day two) 

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. Vs. 5

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Mega-church pastor retires – church never recovers. It seems a frequent headline for those in evangelical circles. Churches are built by a hard working, well-intentioned pastor. Good things happen, but in the end the institution cannot support its own weight when the cornerstone is removed. To be fair, I think this is never the desired effect.

We are drawn to the gregarious. We love preachers who can craft a sermon in a memorable way. But Paul reminds us as well as the church in Corinth that any good that happens is due to God alone. Likely our most beloved pastors will continue to remind us of that. When we are focused on the work of the Holy Spirit in our churches, then we are less likely to fall victim to the cult of personality.

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (day two) God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. vs 21b

He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. Luke 1:52

If there is one narrative thread running throughout scripture it might be best summed up by the prophet Isaiah: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 55:8

Power, authority, popularity = meaningless to the kingdom work to which you have been called. The cross was a pointless end to a life mis-spent if you measure by culture’s norms. But if we have an inkling of trust that God is greater than our limited scope and vision. If we can trust that his way is always better, then the cross comes into focus a bit more clearly. We begin to see our sin, his perfection, and the majesty of his sacrifice. God is not in it for the headlines. He simply wants our misplaced hearts to come home.