“Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

            If Satan can get you to place your confidence in what you did for Christ in the past, or cling to the guilt of past sins – he will have won.

            If Satan can turn your gaze toward the future with the belief that someday you will begin to serve, love, follow, and obey Jesus as you ought – he will have won.

            The only acceptable day for faith is today.  It is the soul you are today that matters – neither the one you once were or the one you envision you might be matters.  It is now that you are living.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

            An ambassador stands as a representative for a higher power, such as a king or prime minister.  Good ambassadors change the world; bad ambassadors make the news.  So, if we are to be considered ambassadors for Christ here on earth… what makes a good ambassador?

            Ambassadors must be knowledgeable, show wise discretion, and have impeccable character.  A Christian who knows their Bible, knows how to speak (and when!), and shows themselves to be a trustworthy individual day in and day out is properly representing Jesus.  Inversely, if we don’t know our Bibles, don’t speak with wisdom and grace, and don’t act with integrity – the cause of Christ suffers.

            Many a person has begun their journey to Christ because they met a good ambassador for Jesus.  For many, your life may be the only Bible they will ever read.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame…” (2 Corinthians 4:2)

            The word ‘renounce’ is more than just a refusal of sin; it is a declaration of rejected allegiance.  To follow Christ is more than simply attempting to commit less sins; it is a public declaration that your loyalties have changed, and you are no longer in support of a lifestyle that feeds the desires of the flesh.  You are now in the employ of the King.

            When we renounce sin, we gain both a freedom from its dark hold because we parade it out into the light for the perversion it is, and we also become unshackled from the shame… the shame of doing what we know in our heart of hearts is wrong and the guilt of slinking through life pretending we are something we aren’t.  Confession of our sins brings them into the light and lets us honestly own our Lord.  I once was bound and burdened, but now the temptation is out in the open, and I can be freed from it.

            When we renounce our allegiance to the things of shame, we announce that finally we are free.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…but our adequacy is from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:5b)

            The God who gives you the task will equip you for that task.  If it is commanded, He will make a path.  The same God who is the Architect of the Universe and Planner of the Thousand-year epic history that leads to Jesus at Calvary can fit the pieces of your life together, too.

            It is okay to feel inadequate… you aren’t adequate.  He is, though.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“For out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.” (2 Corinthians 2:4)

            Real love is painful at times.  Paul genuinely cared about the Corinthian church and that love compelled him to write 1^st Corinthians, a stinging letter of rebuke for their sins and division.  Paul didn’t enjoy penning that letter, and it caused him much sorrow to send it… but love required it.  If we are unwilling to tell people the hard things, then our love for them is less than our love of being comfortable.

            Love hurts, rocks the boat, and believes that the person is worth the pain to try and redeem.  We cannot imitate Christ without embracing the pain that comes with opening ourselves up to love broken and faltering souls.  Jesus did it.  Paul did it.  We must love with anguish, too.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“And He will yet deliver us, 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 1:10-11)

            When you pray for someone, you ARE helping them.  It isn’t theoretical, nor is it just lip-service.  A thoughtful, devout, and serious praying Christian can arouse the might of the Ancient of Days.  The Lord hears and is moved to action by such reverent appeals.  Notice the language of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians – he acknowledges that God will do the delivering, but it will be through the helpful prayers of many which were loosed towards heaven’s throne on Paul’s behalf.

            You can always pray… and in fact, we should always be praying.  It should be woven into the fabric of our daily lives.  There should be times we set aside for it, but we should also be prepared to stop at a moment’s notice to entreat God or send Him our thanks.  Prayers matter, and congregations full of prayerful people open doors which would otherwise remain shut.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.” (Romans 16:22)

            When was the last time you thought about Tertius? Likely, this is the FIRST time you’ve ever thought about Tertius!  Tertius was the man who Paul dictated the Roman letter to.  Paul’s words, but Tertius’ handwriting.

            None of us remember Tertius, but we are deeply impacted by the work he did by sitting with Paul, listening, writing carefully, and properly penning the words of the Holy Spirit.  Tertius was a tiny cog in a mechanism that turned the world upside down.

            The lesson? Every Christian matters, and all kingdom work is worth doing.  You never know what your Tertius moment will be.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.” (Romans 15:2)

            What would the world look like if this rule was put into place?  If we each woke up in the morning and viewed the day as an opportunity to do good to others and improve their lives?  Edification means ‘to build up’ in the same way a structure is an edifice – so, too, each person’s life is constructed of the moments and interactions within it.

            Typically, a good day is filled with moments of positive connection with others, and a bad day is filled with negative ones.  Though stuff can upset us, it is more often than not the individuals we come in contact with who make the biggest impact on our day.

            Helpful hands, smiling faces, and listening ears are always appreciated.  That extra second to hold the door or say, “Thank you!” with good eye contact and clear tone? These things make the difference.  Are we improving the lives of those around us? Are we showing and sharing Jesus with them? Are we inquisitive and curious about what they might need?

            If so – that’s a day well spent!

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God.” (Romans 14:22)

At some point, all of us must own our faith.  Your loyalty to God cannot be built upon the reading and interpretation of others; it must be forged by your own personal study, investigation, and commitment to God.  No number of sermons, network of Christians, or shared public prayers can replace your own personal labor, private prayer, and inquisitive mind.

Our collective service is a wonderful thing and a gift from God.  It is an honor to serve alongside others, lock arms and raise our blades in unison with others who love the Lord… but you must also bow to Him alone.  Your faith must become your own conviction.  There is no such thing as faith by proxy.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Therefore, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)

You cannot put on the new until you have washed off the old.  The armor of light that is described in detail in Ephesians chapter six is alluded to here in Romans.  The helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness… all of these must be worn by soldiers who have shed their old lives to be effective.  The sword of the Spirit, God’s Word, must be wielded by clean hands, or it will harm both him who swings the blade and innocent bystanders, too.

We cannot add God to our life without subtracting evil, too.  The armor of God is not an accessory, and our spirituality isn’t an embellishment on our life – it is a transformation and renewal.  New clothes for a new person.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites