The Source Of Our Comfort
– Second
Corinthians One –
Second Corinthians chapter one gives us a
look at how God had helped Paul through some very difficult struggles. This
chapter provides a contrast between our troubles and God's goodness. Prayerful
thanksgiving is needed in our heart as we appreciate the working of God in the
various situations in our life. Our only reason for boasting is what God has
done for us. Timothy joined in sending this letter to
Paul told the brethren that their prayers
were instrumental in delivering him in
God comforts His people – 2 Corinthians
1:1-6: Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ, and his co-worker Timothy joined together
in sending this epistle. They wrote to God's church in
God was
described as "the God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3) God the
Father is a merciful God, who always gives His people comfort. The nature of
God is seen along with His character. The Father and the Son cannot be the same
person. God is declared to be the Father of Christ.
So the "Jesus Only" idea many is simply not true. There is
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Many Christians have faced sever persecution.
However, God comforts His people when they are in trouble. He does that so that
they might share that same comfort with others when they are in trouble. These
brethren shared both in the horrible
sufferings
of Christ and in the amazing comfort given by God.
Paul found hope and
strength in suffering. The assurance that Paul could find consolation in spite
of his suffering would result in consolation for the Corinthian brethren. They
could know that they would be comforted and saved even in troubled times.
God will deliver us – 2 Corinthians 1:7-11:
Paul was not disappointed in the spiritual strength of
the
Corinthian
brethren. They had remained steadfast in much suffering and he wanted them to
have the assurance that the comfort of God would be theirs. After
receiving the first letter from Paul these brethren had worked to correct the
problems that were in the church there. Now they are encouraged to continue
faithful even in spite of great tribulations that
would come upon them. Paul reminded them of how God had delivered him
and others out of sufferings that were so unbearable that death seemed certain.
God delivered him and He would deliver these brethren also.
Paul had feared death. Things did not turn out that way. God saved
Him from the threat of death. This gave Paul a
renewed faith in the power of God. He knew that God would do that
again
and again. We should take heart in the truth
that God will deliver us from those things that threaten us. Paul saw the value
of prayer when facing trials. He asked the brethren to pray for him to stay
strong in the face of trials. This would encourage many others to thank God for
blessing of answered prayers.
Paul's Change of
Plans – 2 Corinthians 1:12-18: Paul could rejoice because he had a
clear conscience. He lived a simple, honest life with godly sincerity. His
desire in all things was to be controlled by the will of God. Paul wanted to
live godly before people of the world and especially before the Corinthian
brethren where he had worked so hard. He wrote to the brethren concerning these
things in a very simple and understandable way. He hoped they would read and
understand completely what he had written. The reaction of the brethren to
Paul's first letter showed that they had largely understood and accepted his
message as truth.
The
confidence that Paul felt in these brethren had to do with the fact that he
knew they would and had accepted the truth that he had previously written to
them. He felt he could be even more helpful to them in imparting spiritual
gifts if he was able to make two visits instead of only one. The two visits
Paul had hoped to make included a brief stop at
A desire
to spare them – 2 Corinthians 1:19-24: The promises of Jesus and His
commandments left no doubt. Therefore, those that preach Him
cannot manifest a fickle spirit in their preaching either.
Jesus, the Son, is to be accepted as reliable because He is working in
harmony with God, the Father. God's promises are backed by the authority of
heaven. Each command and promise from heaven is related to God's glory. Paul
told the Corinthians, "God makes it possible for you and us to stand
firmly together with Christ." Paul gave God credit for what was done at
Paul called
God as a witness to affirm that he had stayed away from
Will you appreciate Jesus enough that you
will receive Him as your Lord and Savior NOW? To become a Christian you must
hear the gospel (Romans