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 2 Corinthians 7- Joy in Godliness

       

My grandsons, Jack, Arch, and Colt

        How do you feel when you sin?  This is an area where I have expertise.  I’m an experienced sinner.  Just when I see spiritual maturity and purity in one area then I fall in another.  It’s akin to dieting.  I know what I shouldn’t eat, but I eat it anyway.  I like the salty and the sweet, the chips and the chocolate.

        But what I’ve found is that the Christian life is not defeatism.  We can lose weight and keep it off.  It takes discipline and good habits.  We can “work toward complete holiness because we fear God” (2 Cor. 7:1).

        My greatest fear is not the condemnation of man - although I certainly do not seek shame.  My fear is that Jesus finally tires of my sin and weakness, of my failure to change my way.  I have the same concern for the church.  We seem so slow to fear the Lord God and to cleanse ourselves from all the worldliness that defiles our bodies and spirits.  But I have complete confidence in God.  I trust that every time the church seems to go to the dogs it is the dogs that die (to borrow another thought from G.K. Chesterton).  God’s Kingdom is always advancing and there is no “ism,” ideology, or any force of the earth that can supplant it.  It will continue to advance and grow and unify until the return of our King.  

        God expects holiness and that is my aim.  Just like I’ve lost 25 pounds over the last year and kept it off I know that it takes daily discipline.  It requires getting up.  Reading God’s Word.  Fellowshiping and worshiping with other believers in Christ on Sunday.  Studying and praying together during the week.  And serving God every day.  We must be intentional, daily working, and putting on spiritual armor.  And pray.  Let us keep asking God for his love and justice and goodness.

        Today is a new day.  Get right with God today.  I’m sorry for failing God and I hate my sin.  So much so that I choose to change my ways and live in a way that gives honor to God.  He alone is worthy of praise.  His way alone brings goodness and satisfaction.  May God’s church have godly sorrow and repentance of sin.  May God’s church be holy, unified, and on fire for Jesus.

        I want what the Corinthians had and I want it for the church here in Lynchburg and around the world: godly sorrow, eagerness to clear themselves; alarm; longing to see and fellowship with godly people, zeal for godliness, readiness to punish wrong, and genuine love and concern for others.  Holiness.  We need a holiness makeover.  A total willingness to make things right with God.  

    May the church be loyal to God alone.  I know I fail.  I know that we will all fail Jesus.  But Jesus Christ is Good and faithful to forgive and to pick us up today.  May our loyalty remain with our Just Judge.  Forgive us Lord God for where we fail and protect us today.  May all those who put their hope in you be strong and courageous.  Amen.

Three-year-old Arch.


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