Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 10 (day five)  Paul uses an interesting phrase as he reveals the strategy for the warfare against culture and worldly things. “and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,”

The battleground is in the minds (thoughts, knowledge, understanding) of the Corinthians. The strategy for combat is to make their minds mind- become obedient. How does one make their mind mind?  It’s more difficult than you might guess. Because our thoughts come from within, we can easily be confused to believe that they are automatically true. The scriptures have lots of warnings about our thinking and our minds- strengthening, subduing, renewing.  The Bible also exhorts is to, “test the spirits (thoughts, ideas, understandings) to see if they are from God”. Test with the scriptures, test with Christian community, test with trusted Pastors, and test with personal prayer. To follow Christ, we must make our minds mind.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Corinthians 7:5-16 (day five) 

There is a profound portrait of repentance in this week’s Re:Verse passage.  Repentance is literally “turning away” and walking in the opposite direction.  Repentance begins with conviction from the Holy Spirit.  It is what Paul described as godly grief.  The result is salvation- freedom and restoration. Our spirits and souls are lifted and encouraged.  Attitudes and behaviors are dramatically different.

What did it look like for the Corinthians?  Look in verses 7 and 11.  Their disinterest to Paul’s presence was now longing.  Their dismissal of his authority had shifted to passion.  Their previous deception was now a righteous anger against Paul’s opponent.  Those believers in Corinth demonstrate a clear and vibrant change of heart.

Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to continue that heart changing work of repentance.

“godly regret is the first step of repentance. And repentance follows and completes the change of heart.” John Piper

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

“so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.”

There is a very close connection to grace and thanksgiving in this passage than we might not recognize.  It is better seen in the Greek.  Grace- charis Thanksgiving- eucharistian. The true giving of thanks in Paul’s words is directed naturally and intently to the giver of the gift (glory of God) as opposed to only the gift.  We are thankful for jobs and vocations.  If we are honest, we do feel like we have earned (to some degree) the salary and wages.  We have exchanged labor for pay with our employer.  The degree of thankfulness is less.  The  more undeserved the gift, the more easily the attention and gratitude is directed to the giver.  What gift is more undeserved than grace? What gift could be greater than grace?  What is a more fitting response to grace than thanksgiving?  Ephesians 2:5  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. 

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

2:3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.

Heard a new phrase a couple of weeks ago. “The Speed of Unity”. Paul demonstrates this principle that helped him prioritize and discern his actions and behaviors.  Paul is committed to move at the speed of unity.  His return visit would have caused great pain and anguish, so instead he writes a letter.  His goal was the health, joy, and unity of the church.  He demonstrated patience and humility in order to keep that group of believers strong in their faith and to preserve and promote their joy.  Same intensity and energy required to write the letter.  Just a longer process than a “guns blazing” visit.

If  our goal is a healthy unified church, we ought to move at the “Speed of Unity”, considering carefully our actions, reactions, and decisions.  Also a wonderful principle for relationships.

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (day five) “you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:11

One of the lessons we have learned in our pastoral transition and succession is that if we will pray, God will hear us and help us. Something powerful and supernatural happened when the people of God prayed in unity and clarity for a pastor, a process, and provision. How many of us can praise God for hearing and answering those prayers?  What would that worship look like and sound like at FBCSA?  Grand and glorious.

We should continue the work and help of prayer for the ministry and mission of FBCSA by continuing to pray in unity and clarity for His Kingdom to grow (strength and numbers) in and thru our church. May the work of prayer and resulting worship continue!

Re:Verse passage – I Corinthians 15:3-20, 35-44, 50-57 (day five)

“According to the scriptures”. A phrase used twice (verse 3 and verse 4) in this week’s Re:Verse passage. Some versions will translate that, “just as the scripture said”, or, “exactly as scripture tells it”.  What a good word for us today. When the scripture teaches us about God it is truthful. When it describes Jesus and His work, it is accurate. When the Scriptures describe the life, power, struggles, and hope we have as believers it is reliable. When we read and meditate on the scriptures we find the truth: about God, Jesus, ourselves, life, eternity, and a thousand other things.

The scriptures help remove doubt and skepticism. They bring clarity and certainty. For thousands of years, the scriptures have been and done exactly what God has intended. Everything is and has been “according to the scriptures”.

Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 119

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 13 (day five) I have read “the list” about love in chapter 13 all week. To be honest, there are moments when I am nothing like that list. At times, those qualities and characteristics of love seem completely opposite to my actions and attitudes. The human heart struggles to live as love like that in its own preference and power. I must learn to listen and trust the Spirit. He will teach, convict, and encourage.  When I do, I discover a “loving” God who has demonstrated all the characteristics in the list through the life and words of Jesus and the power and work of the Holy Spirit.  He is patient with me.  He is kind to me.  The is the potential and possibility to live like that because of  “Christ in me”. Glad I have a perfect and faithful example of what the list says love looks and acts like.

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 12:4-31 (day five)   “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.“  As believers, all of us/each of us house the remarkable presence and power of the Living God in us.  Want evidence?  Need convincing?  Proof is found as the Spirit is visibly working through gifts God has assigned.  On display, is nothing less than the character of God. His generosity (He gives gifts). His vast power (He gives gifts to all believers). His wisdom and personal nature (He gives different gifts individually and uniquely). His kindness (Good comes from His actions). We have the opportunity to make visible the invisible.  We get to be involved in the very activity of God making Him known and seen in the world. Isn’t that amazing??!!

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 8 and 1 Corinthians 10:22-33 (day five)

“Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.” 8: 13

At the heart of Paul’s teaching/writing in chapter eight are significant questions he proposes to the church in Corinth. “Am I  causing others to stumble?”  “Am I communicating love with actions and attitudes?”

Let me suggest some other good questions to help with discernment:

Which is more important, my knowledge of God, or His knowledge of me?

Does my behavior bring others closer to God?

Do my attitudes and actions strengthen the faith of Christians?

Are people glad to have met me?

Is my knowledge of God balanced with love for others?

“When a Christian’s knowledge is radiated and released by love, he is clearly demonstrating that he knows God and that God knows him, i.e. that there is a deepening personal relationship between the two.”- David Prior

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

Why did no one confront or challenge the sinning member?  Maybe they were afraid. Perhaps their perspective was that past experiences or other influencing factors were the cause of his sin. Yes, the world is “fallen” and all of humanity has been effected by its brokenness. We can almost rationalize any behavior (ours and others) with this line of thinking. But our biggest problem is not sin in the broken world (what happens to us and what we experience). The Bible teaches the biggest problem is the sin inside us (Psalm 51:5). Evil inside us attracts us to evil in the world and causes evil actions and motives. God’s grace changes our perspective about  ungodly behavior/thinking (ours and others). He changes us from the inside first. We don’t have to be afraid to confess and repent. We don’t have to be afraid to approach our brothers and sisters in Christ with the same grace and hope that God gives us.