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Paul reminds believers that even if our earthly bodies fail, God has prepared something far greater for us—an eternal home in heaven. While we live in these present bodies, we groan and long for the day when mortality will be swallowed up by life. Yet even now, God has given us his Spirit as a guarantee of what is to come.

Because of this hope, Paul says they live by believing, not by seeing. Whether in this body or away from it, their goal is to please the Lord, for one day everyone will stand before Christ and receive what is due for the things done in this life.

Knowing this, Paul speaks with urgency. Christ’s love controls everything he does. Since Christ died for all, those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died and was raised for them. Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.

God has brought people back to himself through Christ and has given his followers the ministry of reconciliation. They are Christ’s ambassadors, and through them God is making his appeal to the world: “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that through him we could be made right with God.

Paul pleads with the Corinthians not to receive God’s wonderful kindness and then ignore it. “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” He has endured suffering, hardship, beatings, imprisonment, sleepless nights, hunger, and rejection, yet through it all he has remained faithful. He has served with purity, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, and genuine love. Though treated as an imposter, he is true. Though sorrowful, he is always rejoicing. Though poor, he has made many rich. Though he owns nothing, he possesses everything.

Then Paul opens his heart completely. He tells the Corinthians that there is no lack of love on his side, but their own hearts have been closed. He urges them to open their hearts in return and not to join themselves with those who do not belong to God. Light cannot live with darkness, and the temple of God has no partnership with idols. God has promised, “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Because of these promises, Paul calls them to separate themselves from anything unclean and to live in reverence before God.

Finally, Paul rejoices because Titus has returned with good news. The Corinthians had listened, repented, and responded to Paul’s earlier letter. Though that letter caused sorrow, it led to a sorrow that comes from God—a sorrow that turns people away from sin and brings salvation. Their grief produced earnestness, concern, eagerness, and a desire to make things right.

Paul’s heart overflows with joy. The broken relationship has been restored, and the Corinthians have shown that they are ready to follow the Lord with sincere and obedient hearts.

Verse of the Day: James 1:17

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Question of the Day:

What's your favorite God-given gift?