May 21 | 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

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DAILY READING

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

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REFLECTION

Connections

By Kathleen Serio

When I first read this passage, my head started spinning with all the other Bible verses and lessons that Paul was reinforcing with the Corinthian Christians. My first thought was regarding the Armor of God and how God tells us stand firm with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:10-20) My second thought was with the lessons found in the Beatitudes where Jesus tells us that we are blessed when we are persecuted because of righteousness because then the kingdom of heaven is ours. (Matthew 5:1-12) My next thought was how Paul’s words ask the Corinthians to speak with open hearts and show affection as children do. Jesus said “Let the little children come to me … Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:13-16) Lastly, Jesus told his disciples that those who leave their earthly possessions to follow Him will be rewarded in heaven; that the first will be last and the last will be first. (Matthew 19:16-30).

Wow. That is a lot. Then I wondered how many more lessons are hidden in this passage? I know that different people will gain different insights from reading the same passages, but it was not until I read Bible passages with my small group that I truly experienced it. What did you see? When I researched this passage, the commentators said Paul was urging the Corinthian church members to open their hearts. Why? Because the Corinthian church had not always been supportive of Paul, nor had they been able to get along well with one another. The Corinthian church needed to be mindful of God’s grace and the opportunity to be saved. God’s power is strong and the Corinthians need to embrace God’s gift of salvation.

Paul is urging the Corinthians, and us, to do our job as God’s servants to spread His love and Gospel, and to do so with our own hearts open and ready to love others as God has loved us. Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34-35).

All of the lessons this passage holds lead back to one key idea: God has given us a gift and He wants us to share that gift with others. God has given us each and every tool that we need to complete this mission. We are armed by God to fight the good fight, and we are not to fight alone. We are God’s army made of many who all are called to stand together, to open our hearts, learn from each other, grow from each other, rely on each other, and be bound in His love.

PRAYER

God thank you for giving us your Word. Thank you for all the different ways your Word teaches us and reinforces concepts you want us to know. Help us to open our hearts and bring more people to you. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATHLEEN SERIO

I grew up at UALC and have been blessed to have many role models in this church. They encouraged me to pursue my passions including volunteering with Young Kids’ VBS, HSM, teaching Sunday School, small groups, Operation Christmas Child, mission trips, ushering, and more. It has been a joy to go from participating in ministries as a kid to becoming a leader as an adult.

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May 20 | 2 Corinthian 5:11-21

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DAILY READING

2 Corinthians 5:11-22

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REFLECTION

Reconciliation

By Kim Starr

Picture in your mind the most unlikely person you can think of who would be a compelling case for Christ. For me, it is American rapper, singer, and songwriter Jelly Roll. When I first saw Jelly Roll on TV, I was completely repulsed. He was this very large, unkempt person with tattoos everywhere, including his face. I immediately dismissed him solely on his appearance, but then I started seeing him everywhere and I got intrigued. Why? Because he was preaching a message of reconciliation and salvation to whoever would listen.

Jelly Roll has had a difficult life. His father was nefarious and his mother suffered from mental illness and addiction. He went to church and was baptized at 14, but at that same age, he started a 10-year cycle of being in and out of jail, included being convicted of felonies.

In 2023, Jelly Roll found his way back to church because his daughter expressed an interest in being baptized. He was concerned about what his daughter was getting into so he went to church with his daughter and was reminded of the genuineness, compassion, humanity, forgiveness, and love that is found in church. In a conversation with Brandon Lake, an American Christian worship singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Jelly Roll said, "I might wear it a little different than other people, I might say things that other Christians don't think are right to say, but ultimately, I have a heart for God and I have a heart for Jesus.”

Brandon Lake co-wrote the song "Hard Fought Hallelujah." He wanted to collaborate with Jelly Roll on it because his story resonated with the song’s messages of hard-fought faith and perseverance. Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll sang the song together for the first time at the Grand ‘Ole Opry and have subsequently performed it on The Voice, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and at the Stagecoach Festival. The song has reached broad audiences who may have never heard about Jesus. Jelly Roll commented that he loves the conversation the song is creating as millions of people like himself are finding a safe place in God.

Through this song, Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll have a platform to share with the world what Christ means to them. God, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, reconciled the world to himself. So, if God can repair His relationship with us by sacrificing his son, shouldn’t we be able to make our relationship with God good by living for Christ? Jelly Roll has said that, in his past, he was part of the problem. Now that he has reconciled himself to God, he wants to be part of the solution and help others.

Think back to the person who came to your mind when you began reading this devotion. Was it yourself? If not, could it have been? God sent Jesus to die for each of us so that, in him, we can become the righteousness of God. Let’s show others the hope we have in Jesus. How we look doesn’t matter. Our message of salvation does.

PRAYER

Jesus, while you were here on earth you used unlikely people over and over to demonstrate your love for us and teach us. You continue to use unlikely people today. Please use us and give us opportunities to share what you did for all of us with others. Let us have the confidence to share about you like Jelly Roll has. Thank you for giving him Brandon Lake, and us the opportunity to share what you did to reconcile the world to yourself. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KIM STARR

I have been a member of UALC since I was 2-years-old. Over my life I have participated in, and volunteered for, numerous ministries, programs, and activities, all of which have grown and strengthened my faith. I have been blessed beyond measure by not only being a part of this congregation, but also by being able to worship with three generations of my family.

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May 19 | 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

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DAILY READING

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

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REFLECTION

The Resurrection of the Dead

By Dave Mann

Even though several religions profess the immortality of the soul, there is none other than

Christianity, as far as I know, that proclaims the resurrection of the dead. In the Apostles’ Creed, we announce boldly, “I believe in the resurrection of the body.”  Because Jesus rose from the dead, we too shall rise to enter the presence of our holy God.  2 Corinthians 4:14 -- because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 

There are many, Christian or not, who believe the deceased person can do in the afterlife forever what they liked doing here on earth – playing golf, fishing, eating, seeing predeceased loved ones, etc.  But according to many passages of the Bible, including 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, the goal that we followers of Jesus have is not our own self-centered pleasure but rather the glory of God and living in the presence of God in Christ.

The goal of life on this earth is not to be able to do what we personally find enjoyable, but rather to live forever in God's presence.  Christ will be our judge.  How do we prepare to be in the presence of Christ, our righteous judge?  It is to be made righteous in his sight, through faith.

Our goal is not to find personal enjoyment forever – this is a narcissistic goal.  But we long to live forever in the presence of our holy God.  Our goal is to live in the presence of our Lord Jesus forever because we will be like him.

1 John 3:2 – But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 

Rom 8:29 – Our goal is “to be conformed to the image of his Son.”

Whose idea was it that we sinful human beings might be made righteous somehow so that we could live forever in his presence?  It is God’s plan.  “Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God” (2 Corinthians 5:5).  We followers of Jesus are also called to adopt God’s plan to be ours as well, whether we live on earth for the moment, or we live with him forever in heaven.  So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it” (2 Corinthians 5:9). 

PRAYER

Today, please join me in musical prayer, a glorious celebration of the unique belief in the resurrection of the dead with “I Will Rise” (written by Chris Mullin, arranged by Craig Courtney and Lynda Hasseler). Click here to listen and to give God glory for the resurrection of the dead.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

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