2 Corinthians 8:7, “But as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge in all earnestness, and in our love for you – see that you excel in this act of grace also.”
Has your faith been challenged during our shelter-in-home situation? Have your thoughts been more on feeling you are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down amongst the volatile political climate during this pandemic time we are experiencing? Paul had those feelings in his day too, yet he trusted in God to handle what he felt was his breaking point. Paul had such courage and resolve and strength of character under pressure. I wish I was more like Paul.
Or are you looking at ways to expand in using the spiritual gifts God has given you? They are not meant only to be used at church, but in our day to day interaction with people and in our workplace, despite our current quarantined life which hopefully will be curtailed soon. It seems like life has an interruption right now, doesn’t it? Have you felt like you are on pause mode? I have, but our purpose in life that God has intended for us is never on hold, despite our current obstacles.
Recently I have been examining myself on how am I excelling in my faith during this time of having to be sequestered at home? It is a test, isn’t it? Paul wrote to the Corinthian church that they had excelled in their faith, speech, knowledge, and Paul’s love for them. The secure point of beginning in our faith is believing in God’s character. A book I highly recommend reading on this subject is “Praying Through The Names Of God,” by Tony Evans. He writes a whole book on coming to know the character of God by learning His many names as you pray (lists and writes on 85 names of God) God’s name over your situation. Today I read the name for God, “Elohei Tehillati. God Of My Praise, Ps. 109:1, O God of my praise (Elohei Tehillati), Do not be silent!” The last sentence of this prayer of supplication was, “Set my heart free so that I might receive the fullness of your presence and power in my life.”
Paul was encouraging the church in 2 Cor. 8, to give generously. That was the act of grace he was talking about. As Paul also stated in 2 Cor. 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Right now, I am rereading those words, “And God is able to make . . .” What a great truth and promise of God’s power for each one of us to remember and grasp, and resolve to stand firm in the reassurance of those six words, that God is faithful, and He is able.
Ask God to open up your eyes and mind in understanding spiritual truth as you read His Word today, so you can excel in a deeper and more intimate understanding of God himself. Then humbly share what you have learned with someone.
How are you experiencing receiving the grace of God during this time of shelter-in-place? Then further excel in showing this act of God’s grace to others.
Listen to the NEWSBOYS – We Believe (Live from Home) Youtube video.