Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Corinthians+013
CHAPTER 13 (ESV)
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— 3 since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
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. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
REFLECTION:
- The church at Corinth was a pastor’s nightmare, but their new life was ablaze in them. Their problems were many and serious. But, they knew that their lives were being shaped for some grand and eternal purpose. In spite of some hard words exchanged between Paul and them, he called them “friends” and encouraged them to “keep their spirits up” (v11). And he wished them the best by blessing them (v14). This demonstrates that even though we can have strong disagreements within the body of Christ, we can still be friends, still encourage one another, still hope the best for each other.
- What about my church? Can I still keep friendship with someone at church even though we hold different opinions? Pray for our church that it will be filled with people who are true reflections of God’s love and power.
PRAYER:
- Coming before God with a humble and gentle heart, I pray that in my current difficulties, God may grant me greater faith and increased obedience. May I be able to fully surrender myself to God, letting go and allowing God’s gracious hand to shape me, so that I may continually find joy and become a complete person.
- I pray for the entire congregation of Peoples Gospel Church, that our brothers and sisters, even amidst differing opinions, may have unity of heart and work together to build God’s church. May we all grow together continuously within the church.
HYMN:
Build Your Kingdom Here – youtu.be/YcSWpVKKMcs
