How do you end your letters? For a business letter, it might be "sincerely" or for a personal letter it might be "love." The apostle Paul ended his letter (2 Corinthians) with the words, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you." These words will be the basis of my message on Sunday.
Paul had recognized that there was dissension within the church and also that there had been disagreement between himself and members of the church. Do you notice the impact that this kind of ending might make? It appeals to the favorable attributes of God that one needs to recognize and ought to influence our own way of living with one another in the church.
How powerful these very attributes are: grace, love, and communion.
1. We have received grace through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, to reconcile us to God.
2. We have the love of God, which is the very nature of God, ever overflowing into our lives.
3. We have the abiding presence (communion) of the Holy Spirit within us as believers to help us follow Jesus' way of life.
Knowing that we have this kind of a God, we ought to be moved to live in peace with one another. Paul wrote just prior to his ending: "Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace..." 2 Cor. 13: 11.
Spend some time reflecting on these passages, and may your worship this coming Sunday be a blessing for you.
Discipleship Thoughts for Reflection
Think about all three persons in the Trinity - Father, Son, Holy Spirit, or Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and how they have all worked together for your salvation.
Can you think of a circumstance in the church today where this kind of "ending" might be influential and make an impact?
Paul had recognized that there was dissension within the church and also that there had been disagreement between himself and members of the church. Do you notice the impact that this kind of ending might make? It appeals to the favorable attributes of God that one needs to recognize and ought to influence our own way of living with one another in the church.
How powerful these very attributes are: grace, love, and communion.
1. We have received grace through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, to reconcile us to God.
2. We have the love of God, which is the very nature of God, ever overflowing into our lives.
3. We have the abiding presence (communion) of the Holy Spirit within us as believers to help us follow Jesus' way of life.
Knowing that we have this kind of a God, we ought to be moved to live in peace with one another. Paul wrote just prior to his ending: "Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace..." 2 Cor. 13: 11.
Spend some time reflecting on these passages, and may your worship this coming Sunday be a blessing for you.
Discipleship Thoughts for Reflection
Think about all three persons in the Trinity - Father, Son, Holy Spirit, or Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and how they have all worked together for your salvation.
Can you think of a circumstance in the church today where this kind of "ending" might be influential and make an impact?
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