Thursday, August 9, 2018

2Corinthians 1:12-24 comments: sealed by the Holy Spirit


1:12 ¶  For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. 13  For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; 14  As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Conversation is a word that often is used to define behavior and conduct. Notice in the following verses how conversation refers to behavior and actions.

Galatians 1:13  For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Ephesians 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

The Corinthians are going to be part of what makes Paul rejoice when Christ returns, the day of the Lord Jesus. A metaphor is made elsewhere with the rejoicing over the converted being likened to a crown of glory and honor. Often at public games a wreath or garland was given to the victors.

1Thessalonians 2:19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?


    1:15 ¶  And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; 16  And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea. 17  When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? 18  But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. 19  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 20  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22  Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 23  Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. 24  Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
 
Paul is planning to stop by Corinth on his way to and from Macedonia as he finally ventured back to Judea. He reinforces the positive trustworthiness of what God had promised them through Jesus Christ.

Paul makes the declaration that they and, of course, we are sealed by God and the Holy Spirit indwelling us is our earnest money, the deposit, if you will, on our salvation. Again, he reinforces this in other places.

Ephesians 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
  
Romans, chapter 8, contains some important thoughts in this regard.
9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

    10 ¶  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

    17 ¶  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Paul then states that he is not in control of their faith, does not rule over them, but is a helper of their joy in Christ. They stand in faith and Paul’s mission is to assist them, encourage them, correct them, and confirm the truth of what they stand on. Paul, rather than being a dictator, is more of a guide, like the Holy Spirit, pointing them in the right direction.

The Jews had circumcision as an outward sign of their relationship to God. The Christians have the Holy Spirit’s indwelling as an inward sign of their relationship to God. The proof of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling outwardly is the fruit of the Spirit, the proof of it.

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The evidence of your having the Spirit of God, of Christ, residing in you is not found in how short your lawn is mowed, how often you wash your car, what you wear, or what rituals you adhere to but is found in the outpouring from you of the fruit of the Spirit.

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