Consider the Source.

2 Corinthians 3

It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. – Vs 5 NLT

What a timely reminder. My only power and success comes from God. Not from me. I can't produce anything of lasting value by myself. Oh, I try. Every day I attempt to do things in my own power and strength. But the long-term results are less-than-stellar. In fact, there are no long-term results of any lasting value. God is the source behind anything I produce that is of value. But it is so easy to forget that fact. I can begin to believe my own PR. I can become a victim of my own reputation. I start to believe what others think and say about me. But Paul reminds me that it isn't about me. It's about God and His Son Jesus Christ. It is they who made me, saved me, are sanctifying me, and empowering me to live a godly life.

As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature. So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. – 2 Peter 1:3-7 NLT

God has given me all the resources I need to live a godly life. I find the power I need in the truth of the Gospel message, where I find His promises for not only eternal life, but for this life. "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8 NIV). A life of godliness holds promise for this life – right here, right now. I don't have to wait for heaven! Paul reminds me, "I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need" (Philippians 4:13 NLT). The strength I need comes from Him. The power I need comes from Him. The godliness I desire comes from Him. Anything of value that comes from my life is a result of Him.

And every day I am being transformedincreasingly into the likeness of Jesus Christ – through the indwelling power of God. "And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more" (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT).

Father, thank You that my adequacy comes from You and not me. Never let me forget that I am completely dependent on You for what I need for life and godliness. You are at work in me, transforming me into the likeness of Your Son. Any progress I see is a result of Your work, not mine. Any glimmer of godliness in me is the work of Your Spirit, not my own effort. My power and success comes completely from You. Amen

Captive, Yet Captivating.

2 Corinthians 2

But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume. – Vs 14 NLT

The picture Paul uses here is that of a conquering king or general leading a victory procession through the streets of his home town with his captive enemies being paraded behind him as a visible sign of his power and triumph. Paul says that he is one of Christ's captives. He has been "conquered" by Christ and made His slave. This was not a negative to Paul, but a positive. In his letter to the Romans he says this, "Don’t you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval" (Romans 6:16 NLT). Paul viewed himself as a willing slave to a new Master – God the Father. His life had been captured by the victorious effort of Jesus Christ on the cross. Christ had defeated sin and death, and now was leading Paul and others in a daily victory celebration that was visible for all to see. This procession is a demonstration of His power. Our place in that parade tells others that we serve a new master and that we no longer serve sin. Unlike conquered soldiers, who were humiliated in the streets and later executed, we are now citizens of the very kingdom we used to war against. We enjoy all the rights and privileges as citizens of the kingdom of God.

Our lives give off a fragrance, an aroma, based on the knowledge we have of Jesus Christ and His life-transforming, sin-defeating power. Again, Paul uses the imagery of the victory procession. At the head of the parade, incense was burned. It was a tangible manifestation of the victor's achievement. We are that incense. Our lives are to give off a sweet-smelling aroma to all those watching. But verse 15 also reminds us that "our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God" (NLT). God is pleased when He sees us being led by Christ. When our lives are "in line" with Christ, it brings joy and pleasure to God. But those in the crowds who are watching this victory parade are also able to "smell" the aroma we give off. Paul says, "To those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved we are a life–giving perfume" (Vs 16 NLT). Some look at this victory procession and only see death and defeat. They live for the wrong kingdom and do not look on Christ's victory as a pleasant thing. They only see enslavement. They smell death and defeat. They want nothing to do with Christ or us. But others, who are "being saved," are attracted to what they see. They are intrigued by this victory celebration. They look at our lives and are attracted. They are those in the crowd of bystanders who see Christ's victory with a new sense of hope.

"In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance" (Vs 14 MSG). Are people breathing in the exquisite fragrance of the knowledge of Christ from my life. I hope so.

Father, I want my life to be a pleasing aroma to You. And I know that it is because it is all based on what Christ has done, not what I am doing. He is the victor, not me. He is the deliverer, not me. You are pleased because of what He has done. I am His slave. And as long as I willingly remain His slave, my life will bring a pleasing aroma to You. It will also give off a fragrance to all those around me. Some will be attracted to it, others will be repulsed by it. I don't need to worry about their reaction, but I just need to remain obedient to Your Son. Help me to do so. Amen

God-dependent. Not self-dependent.

2 Corinthians 1

We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have been honest and sincere in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own earthly wisdom. That is how we have acted toward everyone, and especially toward you. – Vs 12 NLT

"We have been dependent on God's grace."

Isn't that what we all want to be able to say as Christ followers? Yet we find it hard to look at life that way. I would rather not have to admit that this thing called the Christian life is NOT about me and my ability to pull it off. I don't want to acknowledge that it is first and foremost about the grace of God and the unmerited, unwarranted favor He shows me each and every day as one of His children. This is HIS story and I am just a bit player in it. But so often I want to make the story about me. I tend to view God as a participant in my drama, stepping into the scenes of my unfolding life story as I deem it necessary. I am the star and He plays a supporting role in my story.

But Paul knew better. He was fully aware that he owed everything to God. His salvation was a gift from God. But so was his daily sanctification. His ability to endure the pressures associated with his calling were a gift from God. The fact that he could say that he and his associates had been "honest and sincere in all our dealings" was the result of the grace of God. It wasn't about Paul. It was about God. It wasn't because he was smart or more talented than the next guy. No, it was because God had showered His grace on Paul. The Message paraphrases verse 12 this way: "But it wasn't by any fancy footwork on our part. It was [God] who kept us focused on him, uncompromised." Paul even attributed his ability to stay focused on God to God. He was 100% completely, unequivocally dependent upon God for anything and everything. And that is how each of us should live as followers of Christ. God-dependent, Christ-focused, and Holy Spirit-empowered. It reminds me of the great old hymn, I Need Thee Every Hour.

I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby;  

temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.

I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;

come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need thee, O I need thee; every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

I need Thee every hour. Every hour I need Thee. Is that really true? Can I really say that and mean it? I want to. Because I have learned and am learning that my wisdom, intelligence, talent, and overall abilities are no match for this journey called the Christian life. I need the grace of God each and every day of my life. And thankfully, His grace is free each and every day of my life!

Father, thank You for Your abundant, amazing grace. May I grow increasingly ever dependent upon it. And may I never forget that I can't live this life without it. Amen