2 Corinthians 5-6; Psalm 1

When Pastor Tony asked about doing a devotional on these Scriptures (2 Cor5-6 and Psalm 1), I immediately went back to my Sunday School notes.  Check out the slide from class:  

“there is so much there it ‘blows my mind.’”

There are some real jewels in  2 Cor 5 alone:

But how do these three chapters fit together?  Psalm 1 says this:

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers NIV

How do I become that man? 

·         REGENERATION. It begins with regeneration (born again).  Look at 2 Cor 5:7, “We live by faith and not by sight!”  Heb 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God.  1 John 5:4 tells us that faith is the victory that overcomes. 

·         RECONCILIATION. Second is reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:21 is how Christ enabled that reconciliation.  He is our high priest who died once and for all. (all people, all sins, all tenses – past, present, and future).  By faith we accept that reconciliation. 

So then what?  Paul was dealing with LOTS of topics in his Corinthian epistles: divisions, defense of his ministry, downfalls in many areas.  In chapter 6, Paul opens up his heart starting in verse 11.  He encourages his readers - similar to our current study in Ephesians à Eph 4:1  I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. NIV  Does that happen overnight?  What about pitfalls?   Cor 5:17 tells us we are NEW creatures – old things are passed away, all things ARE BECOMING new.

Be encouraged today!  Be blessed (Psalm 1).  And “Walk with the King today and be a blessing!”

John Skrabak