2 Corinthians 13

2 Corinthians 13

        Paul loved the Corinthians, but was frustrated with them because of the way they had tolerated bad influences and the immoral behavior they have accepted. Now he drives home the hard truth that those who continue in sin, brazenly doing as they choose knowing that it is against God’s will, will be judged and not be spared.

        He is dealing with an heresy we call, “cheap grace.” It works like this: We know our sins are forgiven, but we act like that salvation has no impact on how we live. We just go through live unchanged pursuing our own agendas. We do not fully appreciate the power of Jesus’ death.

        We have been forgiven because God loved us so much that He gave Jesus to die for us so sins could be atoned for. Yet we sin every day and fall short of God’s calling for our lives, stumbling over the same sins as we did yesterday. How are we to be sure that we are not just taking God’s grace for granted? Paul’s answer is to examine ourselves. We should compare ourselves to God’s Word and see where we fall short of His Will. We even test our motives. Then confess our sins, and turn away from them to live as redeemed people.

        But what if I test myself and find myself lacking? Then God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power made perfect in weakness.” 

        What if I test myself and find myself fine? Then we hear, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 

        We acknowledge the depth of our sin and the magnitude of our need for God’s forgiveness every day. It brings us to our knees – in humility and in worship of our savior, for we also remember that God is the one who will lift up our heads. It’s Jesus’ forgiveness that makes us worthy, not the things we do. We can rely on Him.

        Paul speaks of passing the test. How do you do that? Is it in all the good things you do in this life? No. It’s clinging to Jesus, holding on to the cross for dear life. The good works, and all that will come. He will bring them. Just hold on like your life depends on Him, because it does. And here’s one more thing to remember. He’s holding on to you, too.

Lord, keep me in Your grace and help me always rejoice in it!  Amen.