Faith Joy & Coffee

“For Christ’s love compells us, because we are convinced
that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all,
that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him
who died for them and was raised again”
– 2 Corinthians 5:15-15 –

The love of Christ towards us presses us, urges us, propels us, dominates us, forces us, keeps us together, and leaves us no other option. It seems ver abirtrary, right? Where is God’s respect for my personal decision?

Paul tells us that his love is so strong that it wrenches an answer of love from my heart. We love Him because He first loved us (Rom. 5:8). Impacted by that love, I cannot do anything else but love Him, stop living for myself, and begin living for Him… and for all of those who need me to be a cunduit of that love.

Let us remember the story of Derek Redmond, the athlete who had trained his whole life to compete in the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. He had been to the operating room five times, and even so, he was the favorite to win gold in the 400 meter race.

The race begins. Lane five. Everything is going amazingly. But with only 150 meters to the finish line, he feels an intense pain in his hamstring. He wills himself to keep going, but can’t. He falls to the ground in intense pain. Then, as the medical team is approaching, he decides to stand up and continue walking toward the finish line. He stops; tears of impotence and suffering fill his face. The race has already ended and his dreams are broken. But he dicides to continue.

Then a man from the crowd clears a path toward him. Who is this? His father, Jimmy Redmond. He comes near his son and tells him, “It’s okay, you don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”

Derek answers, “Dad, I have to finish the race.”

Then his father holds him and whispers, “Then let’s finish it together.”

When the love of God compels us, we are going to have a genuine interest in helping others finish the race. This principle always inspired Paul’s life.

What did the apostle do if ever his ardor in the path of duty flagged for a moment?
“One glance at the cross caused him to gird up anew
the lions of his mind and press forward in the way
of self-denial. In his labors for his brethren he relied much
upon the manifestation of infinite love in the sacrifice of Christ,
with its subduing, constraining power” (Gospel Workers, p. 600).
There are many broken, crippled people in the race to heaven.
For them, and for ourselves,
we need to hold each other up and arrive together,
because “the love of Christ compels us.”

May the Love of Christ be with you, today and every day…

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed,
we have a building from God, a house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens”
– 2 Corinthians 5:1 –

In 2 Corinthians 5, the apostle Paul reaffirms the assurance of inmortal glory, but he also makes it very clear that we will appear in the judgement before God.

In turn, he also claims that he works for God with zeal and commitment and does not even have the slightest intention of boasting about the work he does. In this way, Paul tries to carry out the mission that God gave him and live in peace with his own consience.

The apsotle highlights a beautiful teaching:

The death of Christ in our favor should produce in us a corresponding commitment and loyalty to Him and should lead us from a selfish and self-centered life toward a life lived to follow and do the will of God.

Yes, those who accept Christ into their lives become new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15). That is why they must abandon their old life of sin and begin to live in the light of the gospel of Christ. This is possible because Christ has reconciled us with the Father (Rom. 5:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:11, 18-20; Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20-21), providing a new relationship with God.

We do not deserve God’s love, but He is so merciful that He loves us, frees us from sin, transforms us daily, and makes us His representatives before the world. This is how our amazing God is! All of this is done with a purpose: to transform our earthly dwelling into an eternal building.

Paul begins the chapter by contrasting life in the present with eternity. Paul, the tentmaker, tells us that today we have a tabernacle, a tent, an earthly dwelling which is wearing out. Both the tent as well as the body are made with materials from the earth; transitory and easy to destroy. On the other hand, the celestial dwelling is a building made with materials which originate in heaven.

The tent’s time is running out.
It is time to debut the new building.
This is not a reopening; the tent is not getting dusted off
and some patches put in. It is not a refurbished tent.
It is a restored life. It will not be a tent in disguise,
it will be a reclaimed life. The Master Builder makes all things new;
new energy, new strenght, new life!
Tent or building?
It is time to decide today!

May the Lord bless you, today and always…

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay,
to show that this all-surpassing power is from God
and not from us”
– 2 Corinthians 4:7 –

Paul presents the gospel by means of three contrasts: a precious threasure placed in earthen vessels, as fragile as our lives. Let us look at some of them.

Darkness and light (Rom. 2:19; 13:12; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:5). In the beginning, amid the darkness, God created the light. Then, when spiritual darkness covered the earth, we received Jesus, the Light of the world.

Clay and treasure (Rom. 9:20-21; 2 Cor. 4:7; 2 Tim. 2:19-21; Col. 2:2-3). The jars made of clay were fragile and not valuable. But the treasure of the gospel is permanent, relevant, and eternal. God’s plan was that such an insignificant vessel would contain that priceless gospel.

Life and death (Rom. 5:10, 17, 21; 6:4, 23; 8:2, 6, 38; 7:18; 1 Cor. 3:22; 2 Cor. 2:16; 4:10-12; Phil. 2:20; 2 Tim. 1:10). Our body carries the scars of sin. From the day we are born we begin to die, but the Lord came to provide us, by His grace received through faith, life now and forever.

The exterior and interior man (Rom. 2:28, 29; 2 Cor. 4:16; Eph. 3:15-17). The body wears out with the passing weight of time. However, the interior is renewed day by day in God’s promises. Affliction is light and momentary; glory is excellent and eternal (see 2 Cor. 4:17).

Visible and invisible (Rom. 1:20; Col. 1:16). Things which are seen are limited, perishable, and have an expiration date. The ones which are not seen are limitless, nonperishable, and eternal.

The good news of the gospel is that:

the treasure triumphed over the clay,
the light overcame the darkness,
life asserted itself over death,
and the interior man rises above the exterior man.

The invisible has trancendence and relevance above the visible, because the temporary will end, but eternal remains.

An eleven-year-old boy came to a house one afternoon. The family opened the door to greet him and he asked for water. The family thought the boy wanted to drink the water, but he really wanted water to clean car windshields in order to earn money to buy food and medicine for his mother and siblings. The family gave him everything he needed, which was more than just water. The boy did not have a bucket, soap, or brush… he was missing everything. The boy’s little dirty face and sad eyes were never forgotten.

How many like this boy walk through life suffering from the things they lack:
work, health, family, forgiveness, faith, and hope…
Soon, God will transform the things you lack
because of sin into abundant gifts for eternity,
which you can have even now, for yourself and to share!
Don’t walk with your eyes fixed on the ground,
but instead, lift your eyes to heaven.

May the Lord fill any voids you may have today…

“Therefore, since we have this ministry,
as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart”
– 2 Corinthians 4:1 –

In 2 Corinthians 4, the apostle Paul declares that he has preached the gospel of Christ with responsibility, sincerity, and effort. This has provoked persecutions, which contributed to God’s glory and were benefecial to the church because they kept unity among the brethren and kept them dependent on God; they were even beneficial to Paul himself.

The apostle shares many beautiful teachings, to which we should be attentive:

1. Just like Paul, we should reject things which bring fame (vv. 1-4). Being a Christian and being a leader demands transparacy and being a good example. People should see in us a good model to follow. We should not practice things that will bring shame to our God.
2. Those who preach should not present topics of personal interest, should not talk about themselves, and should not waste time telling mere anecdotes (vv. 5,6). Preachers should talk about Christ and lead people to Christ.
3. The treasure, which is the knowledge of the glory of God in Christ, was given to us simple mortals (v. 7). As true consecrated vessels, we should hold the treasure, which is Christ, to share with all who seek Him.
4. We are hard-pressed in everything because we are in the middle of a spiritual war, but distress does not paralyze us because the grace of Christ sustains us. In some situations, we are left perplexed, we have doubts, but we should not get discouraged over that, because we trust in our God. We sometimes feel helpless and dejected (vv. 8-16), but God’s love and power sustain us, so that we are not destroyed.
5. What we suffer now or will suffer is slight and momentary in comparison to the future glory we will have together with Christ (v. 17).
6. We should not trust in things which are seen, because someday they will be destroyed (v. 18). We should place our trust in Christ’s promises, because they guarantee us eternity.

In Paul’s writings we find two mysteries:

• The mystery of iniquity (2 Thess. 2:7). The first is a mystery because in a world which was perfect, sin and corruption were introduced. We know that created beings were made perfect and used theit capacity for choice incorrectly, and in their independence caused evil and lost their lives.

To solve this mystery of iniquity, God counters it with

• The mystery of mercy (1 Tim. 3:16). To resolve this mystery of iniquity, God superimposes it with the mystery of mercy. The God of the universe became flesh for us. Only in light of His mercy can we, in part, understand His love, a topic that will be the subject of study for eternity.

Yes, Jesus decided to die for us
because He did not want to live without us.
Let us live for Him today.

Be blessed…

“Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us,
written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God,
not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart”
– 2 Corinthians 3:3 –

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul wants his words to have an impact on the lives of the readers. Nevetheless, he recognizes that this is only possible through direct action from God, because He has the power to reach the heart and write His law on it.

It is easier for God to write His law on tablets of stone than to write them on the human heart, because stones do not resist. Once the law is written on the heart, it is no longer a dead letter. Paper and stone are transitory. This is not so with the law written on a heart and in a life.

Paul knows that God is acting through the letters he writes. But he also knows that the credit for being an effective instrument belongs to God, because all ability and all talents come from God.

The covenant of salvation is also the work of God. In this context, Paul makes a statement which summarizes divine grace: “For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor. 3:6). What does this mean?

The “letter” was good; however, it did not have the power to rescue the sinner from a death sentence. In truth, the letter condemned the sinner to death. Originally, God instituded the law to promote life; therefore it is “holy” and its commandments are “just and good” (Rom. 7:12).

The law condemns the sinner to death, because “the soul who sins shall die” (Ezek. 18:20). Nevertheless, the gospel was designed to forgive and give us life. The law sentences the transgressors to death, but the gospel redeems them and brings them back to life.

The message of salvation gives hope, and hope produces boldness to live and testify. The one who has been given such  a gift understands and lives the gospel of grace, lives responsibly, and pledges to become a messenger of hope.

We all have the privilege of communicating to the world the treasure of God’s grace and inscrutable riches of Christ.

“There is nothing that the Savior desires so much as agents
who will represent to the world His Spirit and His character.
There is nothing that the world needs so much
as the manifestation through humanity of the Savior’s love.
All heaven is waiting for men and women
through whom God can reveal the power of Christianity”
(The Acts of the Apostles, p. 600).

Let’s be messengers of hope together…

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph
in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance
of His knowledge in every place”
– 2 Corinthians 2:14 –

Paul moves from concerning narrative to hymn of victory. And the first thing he does is thank God. He describes this victory with an example from his time: A victorious Roman general enters the capital of the Empire marching with pride alongside his trophies of war, showing them off to the spectators, to the embarrassment of the losers. As he walks by, people throw flowers along the path, while the pegan priests burn spices and wave their incense in gratitude to Jupiter and Mars for the victory given.

These sweet fragrances filled the air, and they puffed up the chests of the victors. Up front marched the group of forgiven people, followed by the condemned. The forgiven later became servants for the Empire. The captives who were chained up at the end of the parade were executed as a tribute to the conqueror. For the forgiven, the fragrance was the sweet smell of life, but for those who would be executed it was the smell of death. 

For Paul, God is the supreme Commander who leads him from slavery and death to freedom and life. The apostle describes the smell of this offering with the same words used in the Old Testament: fragrance and aroma, which characterized the sacrifices offered to God. This captive who was forgiven and set free by the grace of God, commits to live and serve his Commander in order to spread the fragrance of the good news of Christ, the pleasant fragrance of His knowledge.

This knowledge is not only about understanding; it includes loving, serving, and obeying by exhaling the fragrance which penetrates everywhere, fills all people, all the time, during life and even death itself. That is what is said of the martyrdom of Polycarp, who, while burning at the stake, gave off a fragrant and pleasant smell.

The faithful live and die perfuming and testifying.
The aroma of the gospel penetrates in such a way that each one chooses to be part
of the ones who are saved or the ones who are lost, choosing life or death.
What fragrance does our character emit?
Do we contaminate or do we perfume?
Do we disperse or do we attract?
“In the matchless gift of His Son, God has encircled the whole world
with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air
which circulates around the globe. All who choose to breathe
this life-giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature
of men and women in Christ Jesus” (Steps to Christ, p. 68).

May the Lord bless you…

“For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you,
with many tears, not that you should be grieved,
but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you”
– 2 Corinthians 2:4 –

In 2 Corinthians 2 we find precious teachings in the life and ministry of the apostle Paul.

1. While working for souls, we should do it with genuine love (v. 4), the kind of love that moves the heart of God.
2. There have been many moments in our lives when we have been forgiven, encouraged, and rescued by God. That is why it is necessary that we manifest the same spirit toward others (vv. 5-11).
3. Thanks be to God that Christ always leads us to triumph, and through us, manifests the sweet fragrance of His knowledge in all places (vv.14-16).
4. We should never lose our sense of respect for the Person of Christ and His Word (v. 12).
5. We should never handle spiritual things as a merchandise, selling the message for a profit (v. 17).
6. It is love toward God and people which leads us to a consistent life. If we love God, we must love our neighbor; if not, there is no coherence (vv. 10, 17).

Coherence is defined as a logical relationship between two things or parts, in such a manner that there is no contradiction or opposition between them. A speech is coherent if its parts are in harmony; a life is coherent if practice coincides with discourse.

It is quite common, even in the lives of religious people, to find obvious contradictions which manifest inconsistency. A coherent person acts according to the ideas they express.

“The identity of a man consists in the consistency
of what he does and thinks”
(Charles Sanders).

A coherent person does not kick a hive if what he wants is honey. A coherent person does not try to put out a blaze with fire or resolve a flood with water. When someone does not live out what they believe, they end up believeing what they live. What sets the tone for coherence is the Word of God, not the inconsistent behavior of society.

Paul seemed coherent when he wanted to persecute and kill Christians; at least his convictions were in harmony with his actions. He was sincerely wrong… until he gave his life to the will of God.

Alignment is the process by which the tires of a vehicle are adjusted so they face forward, in other words, the tires should be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the road.

If we want to travel safely on the road of life,
we must align our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions
using the love and Word of God as our ultimate reference.

May you be blessed today…

“Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves
in the world, and especially in our relations with you,
with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so,
relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace”
– 2 Corinthians 1:12 –

Paul defends his ministry, the church, and the mission in three ways: a clean conscience, a compassionate heart, and a forgiving spirit. What does this mean? Let us take a look.

1. A clean conscience (v. 12; 1 Tim. 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:3). Paul did not change his itinerary thinking about himself but thinking about God and the church. The word “conscience” means to know what one is doing. A conscience under the dominion of the Holy Spirit condemns sin. It is like a window: the cleaner it is, the more light it lets in; the dirtier it is, the less light gets in. The “glass” becomes dirty as a result of disobedience. The conscience becomes cauterized and no longer fulfills its function.
   Our conscience should be clean before God and before men. It is not good enough to be good – we must show it. There needs to be coherence between what is said and what is lived.
2. A compassionate heart (vv. 3-6). Feeling compassion means to place yourself in the place of another. It is understanding pain, the situation, the need, and the urgency of another. Only a comassionate heart can place itself in the shoes of a sinner. We must feel a sincere pain for those who suffer. Our mission is to disapprove of sin, but always love the sinner.
3. A forgiving spirit (v. 23). “To err is human, to forgive is divine” goes the old saying. Forgiving is only natural if we are connected to the Lord; if not, it is impossible. Forgiveness is natural for God and for all those who live in God.

Paul was victorious because he had a victorious faith. When Romans returned from a battle, they brought back spoils from the country they had defeated, as trophies. The vanquished soldiers were chained and humiliated. The general of the army went up front, naked and shamed. When they reached the city, the sons of the winning general entered alongside their father, and the priests lit incense. For the winners it was the perfume of life; for those who had been defeated, it was the smell of death.

Our Commander goes in front.
As His children, we are invited to enter with Him.
The victory is ours. The enemy is conquered and defeated.
God wants to use us to bring the good news to everyone.
It is a matter of life and death; there is no time to delay.
Today more than ever, we need a clean conscience,
a compassionate heart, and a forgiving spirit.

God bless you, have an amazing day…

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth,
with all the saints who are in all Achaia: Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”
– 2 Corinthians 1:1-2 –

In the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul is objective and practical. In this second Epistle, Paul is subjective and personal. In chapter 1 of this second letter, the apostle teaches us some very important lessons.

1. God comforts us and helps us in our challenges and tribulations, so we can have the ability to help others who go through tribulations (vv. 3-6).
2. None of us is free from facing challenges and problems (vv. 7-11).
3. An essential aspect of the Christian life is living with sincerity and simplicity before God (v. 12).
4. What sustains us in our challenging moments is faith in God. Therefore, our faith must be strengthened during the moments of calm (v.24).

The apostle also says that God is the “Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (v. 3), in other words, the source and the originator. He is the One who comforts us amid all tribulations, anguish, pressure, and difficulty.

“To comfort” is more than to alleviate, strengthen, or accompany: it means “God is at our side.” Limited by His humanity, Jesus could not be everywhere at the same time; that is why He sent “another Helper,” the Holy Spirit, to “abide with you forever” (John 14:16).

The apostle points out that the reason we are comforted is to comfort others that are experiencing tribulation (v. 4). In other words, we are comforted so that we may comfort.

The purpose is always a missionary one.

God can save us from the fiery furnace or accompany us within it. This was the case for Frances Ridley Havergal, who was born in England in 1836. Her father was a preacher and hymn composer. Frances suffered from health problems her whole life, marked by constant physical weakness. But God gave her a very brilliant and intelligent mind.

When she was four, she learned to read; when she was seven, she composed her first poems, and she memorized long passages of the Bible. Later, she learned seven languages, including Greek and Hebrew. When she was eleven, she lost her mother.

Frances is the composer of the hymn that says:

“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my will and make it Thine;
it shall be no longer mine.”

She died at only forty-two years of age. It was a short but fruitful life, filled with trust and dependence on the Lord.

The afflictions of the righteous may be many,
but the Lord will deliver us from them all.
He promises His comfort.
Let us trust and depend on Him.

God bless you…