Living A Transformed Life
BRD REFLECTIONS
2 Corinthians 6 and Psalm 84 (NIV)
(Dr Irwin Seet, Steward, LCEC)
READ:
2 Corinthians 6 and Psalm 84 (NIV)
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” (Psalm 84:10)
OBSERVE:
In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul expresses his concern that some among the church in Corinth have heard the gospel but have not come to full faith in Christ alone for their salvation. He appeals to them not to receive God’s grace in vain, insisting that the day of salvation has come and warning that this will not last forever as Christ will return and the opportunity to receive God’s free gift will end (2 Corinthians 6:1-2). He declares that he and his fellow workers continue to be good role models and cannot be accused of a self-serving agenda (2 Corinthians 6:3). He goes on to list the many afflictions and suffering he and his team have undergone and concludes that their sacrifice is bringing the riches of eternal life to many people and he rejoices in this (2 Corinthians 6:4-10). He then goes on to warn Christians not to be “unequally yoked” as light and darkness cannot fellowship together. He ends the chapter by stating that because all of us are the “temple of the living God”, we must separate ourselves from everything that does not please God (2 Corinthians 6: 14-18).
APPLY:
When I read of all the afflictions that Paul and his co-workers had to undergo like beatings, imprisonments, attacks by angry mobs and persecution, I am so encouraged to see how they continued to persevere with such enthusiasm, still proclaiming the message of Jesus. I am heartened by how their characters continued to remain Christlike and how God’s power could clearly be seen in and through them.
In Psalm 84:11, the psalmist declares:
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
I am reminded how I need to continue to be a good role model in my ministry so that no one can find fault with me and accuse me of being false or having a hidden and self-serving agenda.
I am also mindful of the need to be cautious in being “unequally yoked” with unbelievers in contracted relationships (marriage or business associations) that could bind us in some formal way like idol worship. However 1 Corinthians 5:10 reminds me that this does not forbid believers from associating with unbelievers in a day-to-day setting. Through our leading a transformed life, unbelievers will want to know the reason and source of our joyfulness.
DO:
I will live a transformed life by
- Accepting God’s grace
- Serving God despite obstacles and challenges that will inevitably come my way
- Being a good role model to other believers so that I will never cause them to stumble
- Ensuring that I am not “unequally yoked” in contracted relationships
PRAY:
Dear heavenly Father, we thank you for showing us in these chapters how to live transformed lives. We ask that you continue to strengthen us in our Christian journey and give us the resilience to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which you have called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. We pray that we will continue to put no stumbling block in anyone’s path through our actions, words and deeds. This is difficult in our own strength but by the Holy Spirit’s enablement, we know that “(we) can do all things through Christ who strengthens (us)”. We pray that we will continue to turn to you and put our hope in you for we know that you have plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. All this we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
