#2Corinthians3 #2Corinthians4 - Work In Progress

Click here to read 2 Corinthians 3-4:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Have you ever gone to an art show or gone inside a building or driven across a road that says "Work in Progress?" It means that even though you can still use it now, it is being transformed piece by piece or section by section or room by room into a much more beautiful or functional space. It's kind of like saying, "Go ahead and enjoy it now, but just wait till you see it when it's finished!" In this chapter, Paul tells us that "we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." When we let God's Spirit work in us and surrender control of our lives to God's designs and plans, it's like we have a big sign on us that says "Work in Progress." In the context of these two chapters, Paul is comparing things that are temporary with things that are eternal. So essentially, Paul is saying, "You think this life is cool? It is, and with God it gets cooler every day. But just wait until God's work is completely finished. Then we'll see instant transformation into something so glorious that nothing in this world can even compare."

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

We had a retreat here at camp called "Aliens," and we based it on Hebrews 11:13 which in some translations says that all these "heroes" of the faith considered themselves to be "aliens  and strangers on this earth." They realized that they were "just passing through." They knew this wasn't their home, and so while they took care of what they had they did not become attached to it. Rather they knew the things of this earth, even their bodies and their lives, were just temporary, but the things of God are eternal.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Chapter 4, verses 7-18 really spoke to me personally today. Paul talks about the difficulties he faces in this life and in ministry. Yet even in doing so he realizes that though he may be down, he's not out of the fight. He realizes that because of the ministry God has called him to, and because he has said yes to follow God's call, the gospel message of God's grace is reaching to more and more people all the time. So Paul's words at the end of the chapter ring true for me. "Therefore we do not lose heart..."

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

What is Paul talking about at the beginning of chapter 3? He talks about letters of recommendation. Were people asking for a letter of recommendation for Paul's credentials? What's that all about?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.longleafalliance.org/photos/misc/workInProgress.gif/image

#Romans12 - Caterpillars in the Bible? Well, sort of...

Romans 12: 

1. What stuck out to you from this chapter?

Romans 12:2 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Recently I paid close attention to the verb tenses in the verse and realized something very important. It says "Do not CONFORM...but BE TRANSFORMED..." Conforming is something we do to ourselves. We try to make ourselves "fit in" and look like everyone else around us. Like in the books of Judges and Samuel, the Israelites wanted a king so they could be like all the other nations around them. God warned them what would happen, but they still wanted one. But in the end, it is something we do to ourselves. On the other hand, the next verb says BE TRANSFORMED. Notice it doesn't say "conform yourselves" or "try harder to look like Jesus" or "transform yourselves." It says, "BE TRANSFORMED." That is a passive verb. Actually the Greek word that is translated "transformed" is "metamorphoo," which is where we get our word for metamorphosis. A caterpillar goes through a transformation, but it's not something that's done on it's own. It simply submits to the process God has created so it can "be transformed" into a new creation. In the same way, we ought to simply "be transformed" by God's word and God's processes to let him shape us into the image of his Son.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know.

One of my favorite illustrations for what the church is supposed to be is found in verses 3-8, namely that the church is like one body with many parts. Each part performs different tasks and has different gifts, but is important to the function of the whole body. One of the longest passages where Paul talks about the body is in 1 Corinthians 12, and he also illustrates the church in this way in Ephesians 4. Each of these three passages provides insight into this illustration, as well as the different gifts found in the body of Christ. If you struggle with what your place is, look in each of these three places and see if any of the gifts describe you.

3. So what does this mean for my life?

I was struck by the end of this passage where Paul talks about loving your enemies. Especially striking was the final verse, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." We use this verse with our children to talk about not "getting revenge" or hitting back, but rather showing love even to those who are being mean to us. It is an simple concept, but not an easy one for anyone to put into practice. I would have a really hard time actually thinking of anyone in my life right now as an "enemy," but there are plenty of times where even the people I love rub me the wrong way for a moment. My reaction is a good indicator of how I'm letting God transform me in this way.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

This is a pretty big question, but how are we as Christians supposed to apply these types of verses to war and terrorism? Or even to self-defense on a personal level? At what point do we still bear arms and defend ourselves in the world, and how far is too far? I find myself having a hard time justifying 100% pacifism and 100% war mentality with a biblical backing. Yet everything in between is gray. That's hard.

Some big thoughts from a very practical chapter. I'd love to hear thoughts from others.

In Christ,
Dan