Daily DEVO

HOW TO SHARE THE GOSPEL

2 Corinthians – Chapter 6

  • Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 – Here is a passage that is used so often in the Christian dating world to guide believers to not date/marry someone who isn’t a believer yet. Like two working different animals connected together for a task, two people, one who follows Jesus and one that doesn’t, shouldn’t be “yoked” together. Know though this passage goes further than just for young Christians in the dating world. It’s a direction for all believers to not find themselves bound and connected to the things of this world. One commentary summarized the idea this way: a ship is designed to be in the water, but water is not meant to be in the ship.  A believer is designed to be in this world, carrying out the mission of sharing the Gospel to those in the world. But as water should not be in a boat, the world should not be in the believer. The cares, influences, and power of the world should not be bound to the believer’s life. For what connection does light have with darkness? What fellowship does what is right have with what is wrong? If then we were to take stock of our story, how much water have we allowed in our boat? How far have we let the influences of the world have power in our mind and life? When we “yoke” ourselves to the world, we’re connecting ourselves to something pulling in the opposite direction of a Jesus. Lay off that yoke and connect yourself to the things of Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3129

  • You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 2 Corinthians 6:12 – This verse made me study a bit to really understand what it was saying. Paul is saying that his love for them is not restricted towards them, meaning his love is free flowing to them. Yet their love is very restricted, not being returned, to him because of their selfish desires. For us, know this can easily happen to in our efforts to love the people around us. We are called to love those around us, but all the while those we express our love to may not return it. Just know Paul experienced that too and even Jesus experienced that as well. Don’t let that hold you back though from showing love. While they may not return it yet, the people around you desperately need true, selfless love in their story. Help them get a taste of what God’s love is like in their story and remember in the midst of it all God loves you too. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
  • …through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:8-10 – I’ve shared in past devotions my love for the “buts” in the Bible because they show a change in the story, “yet” though is working well here in our passage. We see Paul describing how the world sees and treats Christians. Dishonored, punished, having nothing, and the verses prior to the ones here had an even more extensive list. “Yet” that’s not how God sees us or leaves us and that’s something to be incredibly thankful for. We are not forgotten by God nor are we ever left without. Through all the persecution of the world God takes care of His own. On Thanksgiving, at least for my American readers but everyone else can do this too, take a moment to remember how God didn’t leave you where the world placed you. The world and our enemy wanted you in a dark hole alone and dying, but God chose a different path for you. Be thankful for that everyday. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 724
  • We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. 2 Corinthians6:11-13 – Paul is speaking to the church in Corinth and laying it out straight for them. He reminds them his heart for them is fully open and in love with the church there. He wants it to grow in Christ and grow in size and he has such a wide heart to love any and all who come to know Jesus through them. Yet the love isn’t being reciprocated. They have chosen their “own affections” to love instead. As a result their passion back towards Paul and the ministry has closed off, closing off further growth, and Paul is pleading with them to widen their hearts. This passage reminds us that when the wrong things has our heart we can’t give our heart to what we really should be giving it to. We can’t be as open to Jesus or loving the people Jesus calls us to love. So how “wide” is your heart? Are you in love with Jesus and what He is doing? Do you seek to open wide your heart to all who don’t know Him? Are you opening wide your heart to all those who are just now coming to know Him to help them along? Open your heart wide to Jesus and what His heart is open wide to. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2066