WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.870 Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:02.978 --> 00:00:03.808 day 25. 00:00:04.231 --> 00:00:06.121 immersed in Second Corinthians, 00:00:08.551 --> 00:00:11.581 though we aren't sure of the details, the believers in Corinth 00:00:11.581 --> 00:00:14.791 were confused and disappointed by the way Paul behaved toward them. 00:00:14.791 --> 00:00:19.471 After sending the letter known as First Corinthians, it seems Paul appeared 00:00:19.471 --> 00:00:22.891 unexpectedly in Corinth shortly afterward, even though he'd written 00:00:22.891 --> 00:00:24.311 that his visit would be sometime later. 00:00:25.131 --> 00:00:28.981 And while Paul had planned to stay with them for some time, possibly all winter. 00:00:29.566 --> 00:00:31.756 Apparently he left as abruptly as he came. 00:00:32.716 --> 00:00:35.986 It is thought that Paul quickly departed because his conflict with 00:00:35.986 --> 00:00:37.636 the Corinthians had intensified. 00:00:38.446 --> 00:00:41.716 They had promised to contribute to the offering being collected for suffering 00:00:41.716 --> 00:00:45.316 believers in Jerusalem, but they hadn't followed up on their plans. 00:00:45.796 --> 00:00:47.956 Harsh words had been exchanged. 00:00:48.616 --> 00:00:52.876 Then soon after Paul left, the believers received an even harsher letter from him. 00:00:53.146 --> 00:00:57.856 No copy of it survives today demanding their support of Paul against his critics. 00:00:58.756 --> 00:01:03.346 Things got even worse when the Corinthians discovered from Titus Paul's coworker 00:01:03.346 --> 00:01:07.636 who delivered that harsh letter that Paul had gone to Macedonia in northern 00:01:07.636 --> 00:01:09.676 Greece to start gathering the offering. 00:01:10.546 --> 00:01:13.066 Were they offended because Paul hadn't come back to begin the 00:01:13.066 --> 00:01:16.816 collection in Corinth in southern Greece as he said he would. 00:01:17.386 --> 00:01:23.086 Had they come to distrust Paul's word in the end, no doubt, influenced by Titus. 00:01:23.656 --> 00:01:26.866 Most of the Corinthians gave Paul the benefit of the doubt and 00:01:26.866 --> 00:01:30.346 united against the unnamed man who was his most vocal critic, 00:01:31.396 --> 00:01:33.466 Titus, headed north into Macedonia. 00:01:33.736 --> 00:01:37.576 Met up with Paul there, and reported that the believers in Corinth had done 00:01:37.576 --> 00:01:40.216 everything necessary to make things right. 00:01:41.086 --> 00:01:43.906 Paul gratefully sent him back with another message that we have 00:01:43.906 --> 00:01:46.606 today known as Second Corinthians. 00:01:48.076 --> 00:01:52.276 In this letter, Paul tries to clear up the confusion the Corinthians have about him. 00:01:52.726 --> 00:01:56.356 In the four main sections of the body of the letter, Paul recalls 00:01:56.356 --> 00:01:59.086 all the steps that have led to his present relationship with them. 00:01:59.776 --> 00:02:03.556 These four sections all start out by referring to a particular place. 00:02:04.486 --> 00:02:08.806 Paul first pictures himself back in Ephesus across the A G N C in 00:02:08.806 --> 00:02:10.876 Asia minor, modern day Turkey. 00:02:11.506 --> 00:02:14.356 He explains that he and the believers in Ephesus faced 00:02:14.416 --> 00:02:16.156 deadly trouble and had to flee. 00:02:16.546 --> 00:02:18.856 Alluding to the riot, described an ax. 00:02:19.726 --> 00:02:23.506 Paul then describes traveling to Troas where he expected to meet Titus and 00:02:23.506 --> 00:02:26.026 get a report, but Titus wasn't there. 00:02:26.416 --> 00:02:29.956 Had he been delayed because things were going badly, were the Corinthians 00:02:29.956 --> 00:02:35.386 refusing to be reconciled Throughout this letter, Paul was remarkably honest about 00:02:35.391 --> 00:02:38.416 his depression, anxiety, and suffering. 00:02:39.166 --> 00:02:43.636 Paul was reeling from a sense of loss and uncertainty until he finally met up with 00:02:43.636 --> 00:02:45.976 Titus and heard good news from Corinth. 00:02:47.071 --> 00:02:51.241 Paul Next addresses his present situation in Macedonia, focusing on 00:02:51.241 --> 00:02:54.511 the arrangements being made to collect the offering for the Jerusalem church. 00:02:55.351 --> 00:02:59.791 Finally, Paul carries his reflections forward into the future writing 00:02:59.791 --> 00:03:02.611 about what he expects to happen when he arrives in Corinth. 00:03:03.511 --> 00:03:06.361 In addition to the good report, Titus has briefed him on a 00:03:06.361 --> 00:03:08.071 troublesome new development there. 00:03:08.641 --> 00:03:12.781 Some people calling themselves super apostles had come to the city 00:03:12.961 --> 00:03:14.581 and challenged Paul's authority. 00:03:15.286 --> 00:03:19.366 They had already won a following among the believers, seemingly by reinforcing the 00:03:19.366 --> 00:03:23.686 Corinthians error that Paul had already addressed in First Corinthians, that being 00:03:23.691 --> 00:03:26.626 spiritual means being freed from the body. 00:03:27.646 --> 00:03:32.086 So Paul finishes his letter by offering an impassioned defense of his own ministry. 00:03:32.596 --> 00:03:36.556 He shows he can match the Super Apostles credential for credential, 00:03:37.306 --> 00:03:40.336 but Paul had earlier emphasized an even more important point. 00:03:40.966 --> 00:03:43.546 He didn't need any outside endorsements. 00:03:44.701 --> 00:03:48.661 The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. 00:03:49.321 --> 00:03:54.781 Paul insists that the believers are the fruit of his ministry overall. 00:03:55.081 --> 00:03:58.411 Paul's letter reveals that the character of authentic Christian ministry 00:03:58.711 --> 00:04:00.781 is like the work of Jesus himself. 00:04:01.321 --> 00:04:06.061 It involves taking up our own cross, just as God's covenant faithfulness 00:04:06.061 --> 00:04:09.601 was shown in the surprising suffering path the Messiah took. 00:04:10.171 --> 00:04:12.121 So it will be with the Messiah's followers. 00:04:13.306 --> 00:04:18.316 Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. 00:04:18.976 --> 00:04:25.516 We too are weak just as Christ was, but when we deal with you, we will be alive 00:04:25.516 --> 00:04:28.216 with him and will have God's power. 00:04:33.676 --> 00:04:36.106 The second letter to the Corinthians, 00:04:38.716 --> 00:04:40.396 this letter is from Paul. 00:04:41.011 --> 00:04:44.791 Chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. 00:04:45.271 --> 00:04:46.891 And from our brother Timothy. 00:04:48.211 --> 00:04:51.691 I am writing to God's church in Corinth and to all of his 00:04:51.691 --> 00:04:53.521 holy people throughout Greece. 00:04:54.901 --> 00:04:59.911 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, give you grace and peace, 00:05:02.611 --> 00:05:07.201 all praise to God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:08.206 --> 00:05:12.196 God is our merciful father and the source of all comfort. 00:05:13.096 --> 00:05:16.876 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. 00:05:17.596 --> 00:05:20.416 When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the 00:05:20.416 --> 00:05:22.426 same comfort God has given us. 00:05:23.266 --> 00:05:27.346 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us 00:05:27.346 --> 00:05:29.146 with his comfort through Christ. 00:05:29.956 --> 00:05:33.316 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for 00:05:33.316 --> 00:05:35.326 your comfort and salvation. 00:05:36.076 --> 00:05:39.946 For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. 00:05:40.786 --> 00:05:44.056 Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 00:05:44.866 --> 00:05:48.676 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also 00:05:48.676 --> 00:05:50.596 share in the comfort God gives us. 00:05:52.246 --> 00:05:56.746 We think you ought to know dear brothers and sisters about the trouble we 00:05:56.746 --> 00:05:58.426 went through in the province of Asia. 00:05:59.356 --> 00:06:04.096 We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought 00:06:04.101 --> 00:06:05.296 we would never live through it. 00:06:05.986 --> 00:06:11.866 In fact, we expected to die, but as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves 00:06:11.866 --> 00:06:18.166 and learned to rely only on God who raises the dead, and he did rescue us from 00:06:18.166 --> 00:06:21.346 mortal danger and he will rescue us again. 00:06:21.706 --> 00:06:26.686 We have placed our confidence in him and he will continue to rescue us. 00:06:27.751 --> 00:06:32.371 And you are helping us by praying for us, then many people will give thanks 00:06:32.371 --> 00:06:36.121 because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety. 00:06:37.051 --> 00:06:42.001 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with 00:06:42.001 --> 00:06:44.461 a God-given holiness and sincerity. 00:06:44.461 --> 00:06:50.761 In all our dealings, we have depended on God's grace, not on our own human wisdom. 00:06:51.751 --> 00:06:54.601 That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world 00:06:54.841 --> 00:06:56.011 and especially toward you. 00:06:57.421 --> 00:07:01.711 Our letters have been straightforward and there is nothing written between the 00:07:01.711 --> 00:07:04.411 lines and nothing you can't understand. 00:07:05.641 --> 00:07:09.631 I hope someday you will fully understand us, even if you don't 00:07:09.631 --> 00:07:14.581 understand us now, then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you 00:07:14.581 --> 00:07:16.621 will be proud of us in the same way. 00:07:16.621 --> 00:07:17.941 We are proud of you. 00:07:19.111 --> 00:07:23.761 Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a 00:07:23.761 --> 00:07:26.101 double blessing by visiting you twice. 00:07:26.896 --> 00:07:32.206 First on my way to Macedonia, and again, when I returned from Macedonia, then 00:07:32.211 --> 00:07:34.186 you could send me on my way to Judea. 00:07:35.386 --> 00:07:37.966 You may be asking why I changed my plan. 00:07:38.596 --> 00:07:40.846 Do you think I make my plans carelessly? 00:07:41.596 --> 00:07:46.156 Do you think I am like people of the world who say yes when they really mean no? 00:07:47.146 --> 00:07:52.666 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waiver between yes and no. 00:07:53.746 --> 00:07:58.486 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God does not waiver between yes and no. 00:07:59.026 --> 00:08:02.686 He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you. 00:08:03.016 --> 00:08:06.946 And as God's ultimate, yes, he always does what He says. 00:08:07.756 --> 00:08:12.406 For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding 00:08:12.406 --> 00:08:19.666 yes, and through Christ our amen, which means yes, ascends to God for his glory. 00:08:21.211 --> 00:08:25.681 It is God who enables us along with you to stand firm for Christ. 00:08:26.551 --> 00:08:31.231 He has commissioned us and he has identified us as his own by placing 00:08:31.231 --> 00:08:35.341 the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees 00:08:35.341 --> 00:08:37.021 everything he has promised us. 00:08:37.291 --> 00:08:42.061 Now, I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. 00:08:43.231 --> 00:08:47.041 The reason I didn't return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 00:08:48.076 --> 00:08:50.926 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how 00:08:50.926 --> 00:08:52.456 to put your faith into practice. 00:08:53.146 --> 00:08:57.766 We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy for it is by 00:08:57.766 --> 00:08:59.746 your own faith that you stand firm. 00:09:00.496 --> 00:09:05.836 So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit for if 00:09:05.836 --> 00:09:08.386 I cause you grief who will make me glad? 00:09:08.866 --> 00:09:10.426 Certainly not someone I have grieved. 00:09:11.386 --> 00:09:15.796 That is why I wrote to you as I did so that when I do come, I won't 00:09:15.796 --> 00:09:19.066 be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. 00:09:20.176 --> 00:09:24.496 Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. 00:09:25.156 --> 00:09:30.166 I wrote that letter in great anguish with a troubled heart and many tears. 00:09:30.766 --> 00:09:34.606 I didn't want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know 00:09:34.606 --> 00:09:36.406 how much love I have for you. 00:09:37.906 --> 00:09:42.316 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble 00:09:42.316 --> 00:09:44.416 hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 00:09:45.286 --> 00:09:48.256 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 00:09:48.916 --> 00:09:52.876 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. 00:09:53.596 --> 00:09:55.996 Otherwise, he may be overcome by discouragement. 00:09:56.836 --> 00:10:00.106 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him. 00:10:01.381 --> 00:10:04.981 I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully 00:10:04.981 --> 00:10:06.541 comply with my instructions. 00:10:07.291 --> 00:10:10.321 When you forgive this man, I forgive him too. 00:10:11.221 --> 00:10:15.391 And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ's 00:10:15.396 --> 00:10:20.371 authority for your benefit so that Satan will not outsmart us for we 00:10:20.371 --> 00:10:22.291 are familiar with his evil schemes. 00:10:24.421 --> 00:10:28.996 When I came to the city of Trez to preach the good news of Christ, The 00:10:28.996 --> 00:10:33.646 Lord opened a door of opportunity for me, but I had no peace of mind 00:10:33.646 --> 00:10:37.546 because my dear brother Titus hadn't yet arrived with a report from you. 00:10:38.326 --> 00:10:41.686 So I said goodbye and went on to Macedonia to find him. 00:10:42.796 --> 00:10:47.206 But thank God he has made us his captives and continues to lead us 00:10:47.206 --> 00:10:49.696 along in Christ's triumphal procession. 00:10:50.086 --> 00:10:54.976 Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 00:10:56.026 --> 00:10:59.266 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. 00:10:59.716 --> 00:11:03.196 But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being 00:11:03.196 --> 00:11:05.806 saved and by those who are perishing. 00:11:06.796 --> 00:11:08.236 To those who are perishing. 00:11:08.566 --> 00:11:13.516 We are a dreadful smell of death and doom, but to those who are being 00:11:13.546 --> 00:11:16.396 saved, we are a life-giving perfume. 00:11:17.506 --> 00:11:19.756 And who is adequate for such a task as this? 00:11:20.881 --> 00:11:25.981 You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. 00:11:26.911 --> 00:11:31.081 We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ's authority 00:11:31.711 --> 00:11:33.511 knowing that God is watching us. 00:11:34.711 --> 00:11:36.751 Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? 00:11:37.381 --> 00:11:42.031 Are we like others who need to bring you letters of recommendation or who ask you 00:11:42.031 --> 00:11:44.071 to write such letters on their behalf? 00:11:44.491 --> 00:11:45.631 Surely not. 00:11:46.636 --> 00:11:50.776 The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. 00:11:51.376 --> 00:11:54.016 Your lives are a letter written in our hearts. 00:11:54.466 --> 00:11:57.616 Everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. 00:11:58.576 --> 00:12:02.116 Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result 00:12:02.116 --> 00:12:03.436 of our ministry among you. 00:12:04.366 --> 00:12:08.086 This letter is written not with pen and ink, but with 00:12:08.086 --> 00:12:09.676 the spirit of the living God. 00:12:10.126 --> 00:12:14.416 It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. 00:12:15.631 --> 00:12:20.341 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. 00:12:21.271 --> 00:12:24.481 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. 00:12:25.231 --> 00:12:27.361 Our qualification comes from God. 00:12:28.471 --> 00:12:31.561 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. 00:12:32.191 --> 00:12:35.701 This is a covenant, not of written laws, but of the spirit. 00:12:36.631 --> 00:12:40.741 The old written covenant ends in death, but under the new 00:12:40.741 --> 00:12:43.141 covenant, the spirit gives life. 00:12:44.641 --> 00:12:48.841 The old way with laws etched in stone led to death. 00:12:48.931 --> 00:12:52.831 Though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to 00:12:52.831 --> 00:12:58.231 look at Moses' face for his face shone with the glory of God, even though the 00:12:58.231 --> 00:13:00.091 brightness was already fading away. 00:13:01.471 --> 00:13:06.271 Shouldn't we expect far greater glory under the new way now that the Holy 00:13:06.271 --> 00:13:11.881 Spirit is giving life if the old way, which brings condemnation was glorious. 00:13:12.661 --> 00:13:17.251 How much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God. 00:13:18.061 --> 00:13:22.471 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the 00:13:22.471 --> 00:13:24.571 overwhelming glory of the new way. 00:13:25.861 --> 00:13:31.681 So if the old way, which has been replaced was glorious, how much more glorious 00:13:31.681 --> 00:13:34.141 is the new, which remains forever. 00:13:35.731 --> 00:13:40.481 Since this new way gives us such confidence we can be very bold. 00:13:41.521 --> 00:13:45.301 We are not like Moses who put a veil over his face so the people of 00:13:45.301 --> 00:13:49.321 Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 00:13:50.491 --> 00:13:52.471 But the people's minds were hardened. 00:13:53.251 --> 00:13:58.021 And to this day, whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their 00:13:58.021 --> 00:14:00.391 minds so they cannot understand the truth. 00:14:01.381 --> 00:14:05.251 And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 00:14:06.061 --> 00:14:06.481 Yes. 00:14:06.901 --> 00:14:10.921 Even today when they read Moses writings, their hearts are covered with 00:14:10.921 --> 00:14:13.111 that veil and they do not understand. 00:14:14.701 --> 00:14:19.111 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 00:14:20.011 --> 00:14:21.541 For the Lord is the spirit. 00:14:21.871 --> 00:14:25.171 And wherever the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 00:14:26.281 --> 00:14:31.441 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of 00:14:31.441 --> 00:14:35.011 the Lord and the Lord who is the spirit. 00:14:35.746 --> 00:14:40.216 Makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 00:14:41.776 --> 00:14:47.626 Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. 00:14:48.316 --> 00:14:52.036 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. 00:14:52.366 --> 00:14:56.506 We don't try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. 00:14:56.926 --> 00:15:00.256 We tell the truth before God and all who are honest. 00:15:00.256 --> 00:15:00.976 Know this. 00:15:02.266 --> 00:15:07.306 If the good news we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only 00:15:07.306 --> 00:15:08.956 from people who are perishing. 00:15:09.796 --> 00:15:14.326 Satan, who is the God of this world, has blinded the minds of those who 00:15:14.331 --> 00:15:19.366 don't believe they are unable to see the glorious light of the good news. 00:15:19.756 --> 00:15:23.026 They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ who 00:15:23.026 --> 00:15:25.066 is the exact likeness of God. 00:15:26.176 --> 00:15:29.326 You see, we don't go around preaching about ourselves. 00:15:30.046 --> 00:15:35.236 We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord and we ourselves are your servants, 00:15:35.236 --> 00:15:41.506 for Jesus' sake, for God who said, let there be light in the darkness has 00:15:41.506 --> 00:15:45.346 made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that 00:15:45.351 --> 00:15:47.626 is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:15:48.766 --> 00:15:53.926 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile 00:15:53.931 --> 00:15:56.596 clay jars containing this great treasure. 00:15:57.586 --> 00:16:02.116 This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 00:16:03.556 --> 00:16:07.696 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. 00:16:08.476 --> 00:16:11.656 We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 00:16:12.556 --> 00:16:15.886 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. 00:16:16.936 --> 00:16:21.466 We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed through suffering. 00:16:21.736 --> 00:16:24.616 Our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus. 00:16:24.901 --> 00:16:28.531 So that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 00:16:29.761 --> 00:16:34.981 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus 00:16:35.041 --> 00:16:38.731 so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 00:16:40.051 --> 00:16:45.241 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. 00:16:46.741 --> 00:16:50.071 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith 00:16:50.071 --> 00:16:51.511 the Psalmist had when he said. 00:16:52.171 --> 00:16:54.841 I believed in God, so I spoke. 00:16:55.951 --> 00:17:01.741 We know that God who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and 00:17:01.741 --> 00:17:04.231 present us to himself together with you. 00:17:05.041 --> 00:17:11.071 All of this is for your benefit, and as God's grace reaches more and more people, 00:17:11.241 --> 00:17:16.321 there will be great Thanksgiving and God will receive more and more glory. 00:17:17.491 --> 00:17:19.081 That is why we never give up. 00:17:20.101 --> 00:17:24.121 Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 00:17:25.081 --> 00:17:28.441 For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. 00:17:29.161 --> 00:17:32.401 Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs 00:17:32.401 --> 00:17:33.931 them and will last forever. 00:17:34.801 --> 00:17:37.291 So we don't look at the troubles we can see now. 00:17:38.041 --> 00:17:44.101 Rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen for the things 00:17:44.101 --> 00:17:46.201 we see now will soon be gone. 00:17:46.891 --> 00:17:49.921 But the things we cannot see will last forever. 00:17:51.631 --> 00:17:55.951 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down, that 00:17:55.951 --> 00:18:00.931 is when we die and leave this earthly body, we will have a house in heaven. 00:18:01.471 --> 00:18:05.611 An eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 00:18:06.631 --> 00:18:10.231 We grow weary in our present bodies and we long to put on our 00:18:10.231 --> 00:18:11.941 heavenly bodies like new clothing. 00:18:12.781 --> 00:18:14.791 For we will put on heavenly bodies. 00:18:15.061 --> 00:18:17.251 We will not be spirits without bodies. 00:18:18.211 --> 00:18:22.651 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's 00:18:22.651 --> 00:18:26.101 not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. 00:18:26.821 --> 00:18:31.291 Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies 00:18:31.351 --> 00:18:33.211 will be swallowed up by life. 00:18:34.201 --> 00:18:38.431 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee, he 00:18:38.431 --> 00:18:40.171 has given us his Holy Spirit. 00:18:41.281 --> 00:18:46.351 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these 00:18:46.356 --> 00:18:48.421 bodies, we are not at home with the Lord. 00:18:49.291 --> 00:18:52.381 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 00:18:53.371 --> 00:18:58.411 Yes, we are fully confident and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies 00:18:58.621 --> 00:19:00.721 for then we will be at home with the Lord. 00:19:01.381 --> 00:19:04.801 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, 00:19:05.221 --> 00:19:06.841 our goal is to please him. 00:19:07.741 --> 00:19:10.621 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. 00:19:11.401 --> 00:19:14.971 We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we 00:19:14.971 --> 00:19:17.041 have done in this earthly body. 00:19:18.571 --> 00:19:21.961 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord. 00:19:22.471 --> 00:19:24.481 We work hard to persuade others. 00:19:24.821 --> 00:19:28.861 God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this too. 00:19:30.091 --> 00:19:31.981 Are we commending ourselves to you again? 00:19:32.941 --> 00:19:37.981 No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who 00:19:37.981 --> 00:19:42.271 brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. 00:19:43.351 --> 00:19:47.971 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God, and if we are in 00:19:47.971 --> 00:19:50.401 our right minds, it is for your benefit. 00:19:51.181 --> 00:19:54.391 Either way, Christ's love controls us. 00:19:55.381 --> 00:20:00.181 Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we 00:20:00.181 --> 00:20:02.011 have all died to our old life. 00:20:02.821 --> 00:20:06.511 He died for everyone, so that those who receive his new life 00:20:06.511 --> 00:20:08.581 will no longer live for themselves. 00:20:09.001 --> 00:20:13.771 Instead, they will live for Christ who died and was raised for them. 00:20:14.881 --> 00:20:18.691 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. 00:20:19.091 --> 00:20:22.711 At one time, we thought of Christ merely from a human point of 00:20:22.711 --> 00:20:24.961 view, how differently we know him. 00:20:24.961 --> 00:20:30.691 Now, this means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. 00:20:31.471 --> 00:20:32.791 The old life is gone. 00:20:33.361 --> 00:20:34.801 A new life has begun. 00:20:35.941 --> 00:20:41.041 And all of this is a gift from God who brought us back to himself through Christ. 00:20:41.311 --> 00:20:44.941 And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 00:20:46.021 --> 00:20:50.701 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer 00:20:50.701 --> 00:20:52.741 counting people's sins against them. 00:20:53.671 --> 00:20:56.671 And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 00:20:57.241 --> 00:20:59.371 So we are Christ's ambassadors. 00:21:00.016 --> 00:21:02.116 God is making his appeal through us. 00:21:02.836 --> 00:21:06.526 We speak for Christ when we plead, come back to God. 00:21:07.186 --> 00:21:12.766 For God made Christ who never sinned to be the offering for our sin so 00:21:12.766 --> 00:21:18.316 that we could be made right with God through Christ as God's partners. 00:21:18.796 --> 00:21:24.346 We beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God's kindness and then ignore it. 00:21:25.381 --> 00:21:28.261 For God says at just the right time. 00:21:28.261 --> 00:21:31.261 I heard you on the day of salvation. 00:21:31.711 --> 00:21:34.621 I helped you indeed. 00:21:35.071 --> 00:21:37.321 The right time is now. 00:21:38.071 --> 00:21:40.051 Today is the day of salvation. 00:21:41.251 --> 00:21:45.811 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no 00:21:45.811 --> 00:21:47.581 one will find fault with our ministry. 00:21:48.571 --> 00:21:52.471 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. 00:21:53.011 --> 00:21:57.571 We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 00:21:58.921 --> 00:22:04.171 We have been beaten, been put in prison faced angry mobs, worked 00:22:04.201 --> 00:22:08.191 to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 00:22:08.701 --> 00:22:14.281 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, 00:22:14.401 --> 00:22:19.661 our kindness by the Holy Spirit within us and by our sincere love. 00:22:20.941 --> 00:22:22.891 We faithfully preach the truth. 00:22:23.281 --> 00:22:25.291 God's power is working in us. 00:22:26.101 --> 00:22:29.941 We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack 00:22:30.151 --> 00:22:32.131 and the left hand for defense. 00:22:32.761 --> 00:22:36.901 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether 00:22:36.906 --> 00:22:38.791 they slander us or praise us. 00:22:39.431 --> 00:22:43.411 We are honest, but they call us imposters. 00:22:43.711 --> 00:22:46.291 We are ignored even though we are well known. 00:22:47.386 --> 00:22:50.476 We live close to death, but we are still alive. 00:22:51.136 --> 00:22:54.106 We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 00:22:54.796 --> 00:22:57.736 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. 00:22:58.546 --> 00:23:02.116 We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. 00:23:02.406 --> 00:23:06.496 We own nothing, and yet we have everything. 00:23:07.966 --> 00:23:12.676 Oh, dear Corinthian friends, we have spoken honestly with you 00:23:13.426 --> 00:23:15.166 and our hearts are open to you. 00:23:15.841 --> 00:23:19.891 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. 00:23:20.851 --> 00:23:24.331 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. 00:23:25.081 --> 00:23:27.121 Open your hearts to us. 00:23:28.501 --> 00:23:31.111 Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. 00:23:31.981 --> 00:23:34.681 How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? 00:23:34.831 --> 00:23:37.141 How can light live with darkness? 00:23:38.341 --> 00:23:41.221 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? 00:23:41.641 --> 00:23:44.251 How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 00:23:45.046 --> 00:23:48.886 And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? 00:23:49.576 --> 00:23:55.846 For we are the temple of the living God, as God said, I will 00:23:55.846 --> 00:23:58.186 live in them and walk among them. 00:23:58.846 --> 00:24:02.416 I will be their God and they will be my people. 00:24:03.106 --> 00:24:08.206 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers and separate yourselves 00:24:08.206 --> 00:24:09.856 from them, says the Lord. 00:24:10.426 --> 00:24:13.936 Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 00:24:14.521 --> 00:24:18.481 And I will be your father and you will be my sons and 00:24:18.481 --> 00:24:21.151 daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 00:24:22.591 --> 00:24:25.111 Because we have these promises. 00:24:25.171 --> 00:24:30.181 Dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our 00:24:30.186 --> 00:24:36.121 body or spirit, and let us work toward complete holiness because we fear 00:24:36.121 --> 00:24:39.391 God, please open your hearts to us. 00:24:40.261 --> 00:24:43.651 We have not done wrong to anyone nor led anyone astray. 00:24:44.101 --> 00:24:45.751 Nor taken advantage of anyone. 00:24:46.621 --> 00:24:48.391 I'm not saying this to condemn you. 00:24:49.381 --> 00:24:54.301 I said before that you are in our hearts and we live or die together with you. 00:24:55.111 --> 00:24:59.161 I have the highest confidence in you and I take great pride in you. 00:24:59.471 --> 00:25:05.371 You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles. 00:25:06.811 --> 00:25:10.441 When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. 00:25:11.326 --> 00:25:15.106 We faced conflict from every direction with battles on the 00:25:15.106 --> 00:25:17.266 outside and fear on the inside. 00:25:18.166 --> 00:25:22.276 But God who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged 00:25:22.276 --> 00:25:23.866 us by the arrival of Titus. 00:25:24.496 --> 00:25:29.266 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement 00:25:29.266 --> 00:25:32.806 he received from you when he told us. 00:25:32.806 --> 00:25:34.476 How much you long to see me. 00:25:35.101 --> 00:25:39.421 And how sorry you are for what happened and how loyal you are to me. 00:25:39.781 --> 00:25:41.191 I was filled with joy. 00:25:42.631 --> 00:25:47.131 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first 00:25:47.371 --> 00:25:53.371 for I know it was painful to you for a little while Now, I am glad I sent it, not 00:25:53.371 --> 00:25:58.381 because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. 00:25:59.371 --> 00:26:02.491 It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have. 00:26:02.701 --> 00:26:07.531 So you were not harmed by us in any way for the kind of sorrow God 00:26:07.536 --> 00:26:12.511 wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. 00:26:13.411 --> 00:26:19.021 There's no regret for that kind of sorrow, but worldly sorrow, which lacks 00:26:19.021 --> 00:26:21.751 repentance results in spiritual death. 00:26:23.101 --> 00:26:26.431 Just see what this Godly sorrow produced in you. 00:26:27.241 --> 00:26:32.971 Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such 00:26:32.971 --> 00:26:39.121 alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal and such a readiness to punish wrong. 00:26:40.171 --> 00:26:44.041 You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 00:26:44.851 --> 00:26:50.281 My purpose then was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. 00:26:51.241 --> 00:26:54.631 I wrote to you so that in the sight of God, you could see for 00:26:54.631 --> 00:26:57.481 yourselves how loyal you are to us. 00:26:58.441 --> 00:27:00.631 We have been greatly encouraged by this. 00:27:02.041 --> 00:27:05.941 In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how 00:27:05.946 --> 00:27:10.861 happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind at ease. 00:27:11.791 --> 00:27:15.721 I had told him how proud I was of you and you didn't disappoint me. 00:27:16.711 --> 00:27:18.241 I have always told you the truth. 00:27:18.901 --> 00:27:22.051 And now my boasting to Titus has also proved true. 00:27:22.861 --> 00:27:27.211 Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of 00:27:27.211 --> 00:27:31.891 you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect. 00:27:32.851 --> 00:27:36.361 I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you. 00:27:38.281 --> 00:27:41.131 This concludes today's immerse reading experience. 00:27:41.281 --> 00:27:42.481 Thank you for joining us.