The implied answer to all of these is a big NOTHING!: In the context of the Corinthian church, it seems to have to do with participating in idolatry.Īs a further rationale for the prohibition against being yoked to unbelievers, Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions. We often apply this to a believer marrying an unbeliever, but it has a much wider application. Leading up to 2 Corinthians 6:17, Paul tells them, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers” (verse 14). They must be separate from the sin of the world. Just as the Israelites in exile were to put off any idolatry they may have picked up while living in Egypt, so the Corinthian believers are to lay aside the idolatry and sexual immorality that they were steeped in by virtue of living in Corinth. He is taking familiar wording and giving it meaning in a fresh context. Paul quotes this passage from Isaiah in reference to the Corinthian church. The people of Israel are commanded to forsake any idolatrous habits they may have picked up while in Egypt and to return to the Promised Land at the same time, it is a promise that God will be the one to bring them back when the time is right. The command to “come out from among them” is also an effective call. See Jeremiah 42 – 43.) In Isaiah 52, God is promising to call back to the Promised Land the descendants of those who went down to Egypt. Jeremiah warned them not to do this, but many of them went to Egypt anyway, and they took Jeremiah with them against his will. (When Jerusalem fell, many of the people were carried away to Babylon, but some of the people fled to Egypt, thinking they would be safe there. Isaiah 52:11 speaks of the Israelites who are returning from exile in Egypt. The clause come out from among them is a reference to a passage in Isaiah. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.Second Corinthians 6:17 says, “Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord do not touch any unclean thing, and I will welcome you” (CSB). …You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us. Psalm 103:11-12 (GNTD)Īs high as the sky is above the earth, so great is his love for those who honor him. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it. Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. …The God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation. He gave us this grace by means of Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but now it has been revealed to us through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. "And now I commend you to the care of God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people." 2 Timothy 1:9-10a (GNTD) If you feel overwhelmed with guilt today, I encourage you to meditate on these six Bible verses: Acts 20:32 (GNTD) By engaging with God's Word, we can learn to receive his peace, hope and assurance. But here's the good news: we don't have to stay in this place. These situations, and so many others, can hinder our confidence and feed into our anxiety, creating a barrier between our guilt and God's love and grace. Now, you can't seem to erase the memory, even though you've sought forgiveness and are working to improve your relationships, behaviors and attitudes. You lashed out at a co-worker, made a purchase that sent you into debt or offended your spouse with a rash comment. Or maybe you feel guilty about a mistake or shortcoming. But while juggling a tight budget, a demanding job and a busy social calendar, you barely have enough time for yourself-let alone enough time to fully invest in their lives. Maybe you feel guilty about your relationship with your kids. And it leads me down a rabbit trail of confidence-shattering thoughts: Do I actually prioritize my wife's needs over my own, or do I just think I do? Am I selfishly managing my budget? Do I call my parents enough? Am I the son they wanted me to be?īy the time I regain my focus, I've created a mental list of flaws I need to fix-all triggered by my guilt. No matter how hard I try to shake it, this guilt completely alters my frame of mind. Sometimes I'm minding my own business-walking down the street, sitting at my desk or preparing dinner-when a shameful thought comes charging into my head. Guilt has a way of popping up at random times, in random places.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |