2 Corinthians 13:11, “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
The last chapter of 2 Corinthians is Paul’s final greeting and admonitions to the Corinthian Christians. His final closing words in his letter was his prayer and desire for them to do what is right and not what is wrong. He wanted them to be able to enjoy the joy of walking in a right relationship with God and with each other. I think we women long for our children, our nieces, and nephews, and those we lead with godly influence in our workplace, to live in peace and harmony.
Paul had a deep love for the Corinthians and was burdened for them to have a heart yielded to desiring to become complete in Christ – complete and mature in all that Christ purposed for them to be which the result then would produce living in peace with one another. Then the world would know Jesus was the son of God because they would see the power of transformation in their lives living out the power of the gospel and their love for one another, reflected by their identity in Christ.
How do we live in peace with one another during this unusual time of shelter-at-home? “Resilience has now become a new skill to seek after and comes from hard work and perseverance in serving others (author, T.W. Lewis, Solid Ground).” I think it takes showing grace to others we may disagree with, as God has shown His grace and mercy to us over our own self-righteousness, pride, and judgment. It is not just being right on an issue that is the most crucial end.
Each morning as I have my time alone with God, I have the best of intentions. I study the verse or verses I am consecutively studying and seek to draw out the meaning God wants me to understand in them as He gives me instruction, correction, wisdom, and guidance for my day. Then the day begins, and by early afternoon or sooner, waves of problems and conflicts have dashed in upon my day like crashing tides barreling towards the shore like the ocean waves hitting over the rocks in the sand. Then a few trigger irritations with various people have barged in and taken root. Can you relate?
I hold the truths of God’s Word as my spiritual recalibration tools, for God is my rock of strength – my “El Sali.” My struggles and failures do not tell the whole story. I must keep the bigger picture in mind, for Romans 16:20 declares, “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you. Amen.”
So, the questions to myself are the following: Am I walking in the Spirit? Do I depend on God’s grace? Am I walking in the love of God? Am I guilty of blocking the Holy Spirit’s fellowship? Paul’s final benediction to the Corinthian believers fits even for today, 2 Cor. 13:11 NIV, “Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Listen to Matt Maher Your Love Defends Me (Acoustic) YouTube 8/4/2017 by mattmahermusic