Fishing for Men! - Matthew 4:12-25

As Jesus began His public preaching ministry, He called people to repent(turn from their current way of thinking and living) and to follow Him. Peter, Andrew, James and John were receptive to His call and immediately left all to follow Him.

Proclamation - "follow me" - Jesus calls upon men not only to trust Him for salvation but to follow Him, completely abandoned to love and serve Him

Promise - "I will make you" - Jesus Christ is our complete resource. We do not follow Jesus in our own strength or change our lives in our own ability but by His grace!

Purpose - "fishers of men" - The will of God is for all men to be saved!(2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4) God has chosen use us as His instruments to share the message of salvation.(2 Corinthians 4,5) Everyone of us has been uniquely designed and equipped and given a sphere of influence in which to share the Gospel.(Psalm 139)

One pastor challenged me with this thought: "If you are not catching men then you are guilty of not following Jesus!"

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us faithfully follow Him and share His message of salvation with those around us!!!

Matthew 1:18-25

In the previous verses we have the genealogy of Joseph all the way from Abraham. The three sets of 14 generations give us an idea that God's way is perfect and that in the fullness of time He sent His Son born of a woman. Now in the beginning of these verses Joseph has a dilemma. Was Mary unfaithful? That is what he thought and he felt he had to annul the engagement, but God was ready to put everything together. I even think the previous engagement of Joseph and Mary was in the plan of God. God needed a faithful man to bring up His Son. All needed to be above reproach. About the time he wondered what to do the dream came. He was told what to do and what the child was to be like. His name was to be Jesus as He would save His people from their sins. The name Jesus means "Jehovah is salvation." Another name is Emmanuel "God with us." The angel in the dream quoted Isaiah 7:14 which speaks of the virgin bringing forth a Son. Joseph teaches us what true obedience is all about. He took Mary for his wife and had no personal relationship with her so that Jesus the Son of God would come out of a virgin's womb. These verses speak volumes to me.

Forgiveness! - Genesis 50:1-26

As soon as their father, Jacob, died, Joseph's brothers were fearful that now Joseph would seek revenge for their sinful treatment of him. They fell on their face before Joseph, claimed that daddy had told him to forgive and then offered themselves as slaves for the rest of their lives in order to some how earn his forgiveness. Joseph wept, partly because they were repentant and willing to acknowledge their wrong, but also because they did not realize that Joseph had forgiven them long ago and they were still suffering guilt that was unnecessary.

All of us need forgiveness! The Bible says "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23) and "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped and that all the world may become guilty before God"(Romans 3:19).

Forgiveness is available to all! "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"(1 John 1:9) The Bible says that if we agree with God(confess) our sins He is faithful(always willing, able, available) and just(has the right) to forgive us and cleanse us from all our sin!

Forgiveness is based on grace(the work of Christ and not our own)!! "In whom we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of His grace"(Ephesians 1:7).

Many people suffer with the guilt of sin when it is unnecessary for two reasons:
1. They stubbornly refuse to acknowledge their sin and come to Christ for forgiveness
2. They think that they must earn forgiveness of sin by their own works

If you have guilt in your heart today do not delay another moment! Rush to the throne of grace to find full and free forgiveness in the shed blood of Jesus Christ! "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man(Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses"(Acts 13:38,39). "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin"(Hebrews 10:17,18)

Walk with the King and rest in His forgiveness!!!

Sheltered in Egypt! - Genesis 47:1-31

In this chapter, Jacob is moving to Egypt. However, unlike Abraham and Isaac before him, Jacob is going to Egypt(a type of the world) in the will of God(Genesis 46:3). This move for Jacob was part of God's sovereign plan. This move was necessary for three reasons:
1. Prophecy - God predicted that Abraham's descendants would be in bondage and then be released - Genesis 15:13,14
2. Protection - There was a great famine in the land and this preserved the "seed" of Messiah
3. Power - God brought them into the most powerful nation on earth to show that He was more powerful than any nation or false god.

In John 17, Jesus prayed for us that we would be sustained being in the world but not of the world. The place of God's protection, provision, power and blessing is in the center of His will! Even if we are in "Egypt" we can rest assured that God will take care of us just like he took care of Jacob and his family.

Are you in the will of God for your life?
Walk in the will of God and rest in the protection, provision, and power of God!!!

Genesis 45:16-28

In the previous verses Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. In earlier remarks I quoted a verse in Numbers. "Be sure your sin will find you out! This was the culmination of that. Now they would have to return to tell their father Joseph was alive. This would reveal what they had done causing their father needless grief these many years. Notice how good Joseph is to them. He loads them down with good things for the journey and enough wagons and supplies to bring them back to Egypt. It reminds me as a Christian that we don't travel at our own resources but at the expense of our greater Joseph, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has the way all cleared for us to bring us to our desired heaven ultimately Heaven itself. Jacob couldn't believe Joseph was yet alive until he saw the resources that Joseph sent. His spirit was then revived. What a journey that would be. What anticipation! Jacob's destination was earthly Egypt and our destination is Heaven itself. Joseph was a kind of forerunner. According to Hebrews 6:20 our forerunner is Jesus Himself and the eternal destination is Heaven itself.

Rebounding in God's Will! - Genesis 44:18-34

During basketball season you will often hear coaches exhorting players to "follow your shot", that is, after you shoot you should run toward the basket so that if you miss your shot you can get the "rebound" and shoot again. Joseph's brothers had taken a "shot" in life that "missed" terribly by selling their brother, Joseph, and lying to their father. Now, they had a "second shot" opportunity. they could go free if they would be willing to leave their youngest brother Benjamin in Egypt and lie to their father about it. On the "rebound" the brothers had come to true repentance and would rather die in Egypt than sin again.

I am thankful that our God is a merciful God and that He is the God of the second chance(rebound). 1 John 1:9 states "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". We must learn to come to full repentance, as described in 2 Corinthians 7:9-12, in order to take advantage of our "second shot" opportunity.

Walk with the Lord and "follow your shot" so that you can "rebound" in the will of God!!!

Having "surety"! - Genesis 43:1-15

The "famine in the land" caused Jacob to ask his sons to return to Egypt for more food. Judah explained that the terms were clear from the Egyptian leader(Joseph) that they could only return if they brought their youngest brother Benjamin with them. At first, Jacob refused because he had already "lost" one son(Joseph) and one son was in Egypt, in prison(Simeon) and he could not bear the thought of losing another son(Benjamin). However, Judah presented himself as a "surety"(v.9) if anything were to go wrong and eventually Jacob let them go and take Benjamin.



A "surety" is "one who agrees to assume the obligation of another". Judah was willing to assume the obligation of all the brothers to make sure everyone returned safely. Paul took on this same role when he offered to meet all the obligations of the runaway slave, Philemon, to his master, Onesimus(Philemon 1:18,19). The book of Proverbs speaks of the seriousness of becoming "surety" for another man's debt.



The greatest example of a "surety" is Jesus Christ! Hebrews 7:22 states "By so much Jesus was made a surety of a better testament". As the Mediator between God and man,(1Tim. 2:5) Jesus Christ is God's great Surety. Our risen and ever-living Savior guarantees that the terms of God's covenant will be fulfilled completely. God will not abandon His people! But our Lord not only guarantees to us that God will fulfill the promises. As our representative to God, He perfectly meets the terms of our agreement on our behalf. We of ourselves could never meet the terms; but because we have trusted Him, He has saved us and He has guaranteed that He will keep us!

Walk with the Lord today in "surety"!!!

Genesis 42:1020

Be sure your sin will find you out! Numbers 32:23 In these verses today there is a process in this verse being carried out in the lives of Joseph's brothers. Many years have gone by since they sold him and deceived their father, Jacob. Have you ever studied in the Bible how God used famines in the lives of God's people? This one was to be first of all the fulfillment of Joseph's two dreams in his earlier life where his brothers would bow down to him. Perhaps you can find similar things where a famine like characteristic has taught you something valuable that you will never forget. Remember the prodigal son in Luke, chapter 13.
The whole idea of Joseph treating his brothers the way he did was not revenge but to see if they had repented. He would ultimately do them good as we see in the rest of the book of Genesis. Do we have to be forced into repentance by being found out about some sinful act we have committed. It is a lot more painful that way. Look at David and his sin of adultery and murder. How relieved he was when finally, after about a year, he confessed his sin openly. It cost him dearly though in the weakening of his kingdom. Where are you regarding some of the above thoughts? Read Psalm 32 and Psalm 51.

Prosperity in Prison - Genesis 39:17-40:8

Joseph was sent to prison because of false accusation by Potiphar's wife. However, Joseph prospered in prison just like he did everywhere else(Gen. 39:23). Many times in life we find ourselves in difficult situations that are beyond our control. They may not be physical prisons like Joseph's was but they are "prisons"spiritually that we must overcome. The secrets to prospering in prison that Joseph experienced can be ours as well.

Secrets to Prospering in "Prison"
1. Make sure you are in "prison" in the will of God. - Joseph did not go to prison for his own wrong doing. Sometimes our problems are consequences of our own sin. If this is the case we must repent(1 John 1:9) before we can prosper
2. Make sure you do not go to "prison" alone. - The Bible says that "the LORD was with Joseph"(Gen.39:21). Jesus promised to never leave us(Matthew 28:20). We must constantly look to Him and rely on Him in the midst of our "prison" experiences.
3. Make sure you do not become self centered in "prison". - Joseph did not focus on his own needs but immediately began to serve others(Gen. 39:22; 40:6-8). Focusing on ourselves and our rights only leads to bitterness and misery. Being a servant brings joy(John 13:17)!!

Walk with the Lord and prosper even in "prison"!!!

Genesis 37:18-36

Envy is a terrible thing. It gnaws even at our bones. Joseph's brothers were ready to kill him because of his being favored by his father and because of his dreams. Reuben who would have had the most reason to kill him wanted to rescue him. Because of his own sin Reuben lost the right of being first born and it was transferred to Joseph. This was a noble thought on Reubens part with perhaps some shame connected to it.

Now we see the other brothers plot unfolding. They throw him in a pit and later sell him to the Midianites which sold him to the Egyptian captain of the guard named Potiphar. Meanwhile to cover up, Joseph's brothers soaked his beautiful coat in goat's blood and took it to their father Jacob saying that they found it like that. That cover up would last for a long time but they would eventually be found out later. "Be sure your sin will find you out!" Numbers 32:23

The life of Joseph is typical of the Lord Jesus Christ . He was hated by his brethren but destined to rule at a far later date. Though Joseph did not die Jesus did, which at a later date states, "They shall look upon Him whom they have pierced and mourn for Him." Zechariah 12:10

Doing things God's Way! - Genesis 27:18-33

God had already promised that Jacob, and not Esau, would be the heir of the covenant blessings that were promised to Abraham. God cannot lie!(Titus 1:2) Faith is believing and obeying God regardless of the circumstances or the consequences. However, Isaac responded in unbelief by telling Esau that he would give him the blessing. Rebekah responded in unbelief by encouraging and enabling Jacob to deceive Isaac in order to receive the blessing. Jacob responded in unbelief by lying to his father and even invoking God's name as helping him in this deception.

Faith says "If God promised something then He will fulfill it even when it seems impossible or the opposite of what He promised is happening".

Unbelief looks at the situation and thinks God needs some "help" in order to fulfill His promise and says "even if I have to do something wrong(lie, steal, etc) it is alright as long as the end result is God's will".

God does not accept the philosophy of unbelief. God never approved of Isaac, Rebekah or Jacob sinning even if they were trying to fulfill His will. Each person paid consequences for their sin.

Are you ever tempted to do God's will in your own way? Remember Abraham lying about Sarah in order to preserve his life and having a child with Hagar in order to have an heir or Moses who killed an Egyptian trying to deliver the nation of Israel. Many times we attempt to "help" God in our own way and accept the world's philosophy that "the end justifies the means".
God wants us to do His will in His way!

Walk with the Lord in His way and believe Him to accomplish His will for your life!

Finding a bride! - Genesis 24:52-67

Genesis 24 is the record of Abraham sending his servant to find a bride for Isaac his son. There are three stages in a Jewish wedding.
1. Betrothal - Prearrangement is made by the couples families for the marriage. The groom returns home to prepare a place for the new couple to live while the bride prepares herself in constant readiness for the groom to come and receive her for the marriage
2. Marriage - The groom comes to receive his bride and take her to his home to consummate the marriage.
3. Marriage supper - Time of celebration which usually lasts 7 days.

This story shows the three stages of the wedding of Isaac and Rebekah and pictures for us the "wedding" relationship between Jesus Christ (the groom) and the Church (us, the bride). In this story we are pictured as both the bride and the servant. In Genesis 24:58, Rebekah made the choice of faith to go and accept the proposal of marriage. God the Father has extended a proposal to us to receive His Son, Jesus Christ in salvation. (Isaiah 45:22, John 14:6, Acts16:31) Each of us must personally place our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. When we do we are saved and become the bride of Christ. In Genesis 24:63-67, Isaac was waiting for his bride, had prepared a place for her and came to meet her for the final stages of the wedding. We are on a journey to our new home in heaven and one day Jesus Christ will come to meet us and take us to be with Him. (John 14:1-3)

We are also like the servant. We have been given the command and all the resources by God the Father to find a bride for His Son, Jesus Christ. We must faithfully extend the proposal to all the world. (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19,20, Acts 1:8) We are responsible to share the message, each must decide to receive or reject Jesus Christ. (John 3:16-18, 5:24)

Have you accepted Christ's proposal for salvation? If, no receive Him today! If, yes rejoice in the hope of His coming to take us home with Him.

We must be faithful servants proclaiming the Gospel (Good News of salvation from sin through faith in Jesus Christ). Look for someone to share with today!

Walking By Faith

In the previous verses we are introduced to Abraham's servant and his charge from Abraham to get a wife for his son, Isaac. We also see the prayer the servant made and the requirements needed for the maiden he would meet.

In today's reading Rebekah met all the requirements of his prayer by coming to him without prompting and being from the right family. I believe the key verse is verse 27. The servant of Abraham thanked God for leading him perfectly. The phrase I like best is, "I being in the way the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren." He had learned from Abraham to be led of the Lord.

I must everyday walk close to the Lord in harmony that so that I can say, "Jesus led me all the way. Rebekah would later be the wife of Isaac who would produce the line of godly Abraham, which would lead ultimately to Christ.

Saved by faith! - Genesis 15:6

Genesis 15:6 records "And he believed in the Lord and He counted it to him for righteousness". This verse describes Abraham's response to God's promise of a son. This verse is looked at by many as the most important verse in the Old Testament. It is a vital witness to the truth of justification (salvation) by faith alone and to the unity of this truth in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Abraham's faith was accounted to him for righteousness before he was circumcised and more than four hundred years before the law was given to Moses and the Jewish people. Paul shows that Abraham's faith was not merely a general confidence in God nor simple obedience to God's command, but that is was faith in the promise of redemption through Christ. (Romans 3:21,22; 4:18-25; Galatians 3:14) We look back to the cross while the Old Testament people looked forward to it. God has asked people to demonstrate their faith in the promise of Christ in different ways through the ages. Today we demonstrate our faith for salvation by prayer. (Romans 10:9,10,13) We have a message to declare to the whole world! Salvation is available by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone!!!!

This passage also gives us a prophetic assurance of God's Word. God tells Abraham that his descendants will be enslaved in a strange land, afflicted, released through judgment and escape with wealth to return to this land. All of this was fulfilled in the captivity in Egypt and God bringing them back to the promised land hundreds of years later. God's Word is true! Abraham was justified by faith according to the Word of God! We can and will be saved by faith in Christ according to the Word of God WHO CANNOT LIE!! (Titus 1:2)

Rejoice in the sure salvation of Christ and share this hope with others with full confidence!!

Witness of the leaves

Have you been enjoying the fall colors on the trees? The cooler temperatures and turning leaves signal to us that it is fall season and winter is just around the corner. The other evening during Upward evaluations several of us went outside to take in a gorgeous sunset. Brilliant blues, purples and reds filled the sky along with majestic rays of sunlight! All of this beauty in nature has a much greater witness than just that winter is coming! In Genesis 8:22 God promised Noah "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." These wonders of nature witness to the power, wisdom, mercy and absolute surety of God's Word! Psalm 19 declares "there is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard"! 2 Peter 1:4 tells us that God has given to us "exceeding great and precious promises" sufficient to know God, love God and live for God! The leaves changing color every year for the last 6000 years witness that God will keep His promises! We can walk with God today by faith claiming His promises and thanking Him for the witness of the leaves!

Notice that God said "While the earth remaineth". Its final destruction is described in Psalm 102:26 (quoted in Hebrews 1:11,12). The most graphic description of the end of the world and the entire physical universe is found in 2 Peter 3:10. The preceding verse tells us why God is waiting to judge the earth and what should be our focus while the earth remains - 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness but is longsuffering to usward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance"!

Claim God's promise of power to witness (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) and share God's promise of eternal salvation (Romans 10:9,10,13) with someone today!

God Remembers

Genesis 8:1 states: "And God remembered Noah. . .". This means that God thought upon Noah and was aware of His situation. God was faithful to keep His promises of protection and provision for Noah and all who were in the ark. In the same way God "remembers" all those who believe and obey and rely upon Him!

God will remember me in times of :
1. Transgression (when I sin) with correction (if not repentant)Hosea 9:9 or with cleansing (if repentant)Hebrews 8:12
2. Tears with comfort - Israel in bondage - Exodus 2:24, David - Psalm 56:8
3. Trial with care - Rachel - Genesis 30:22, Hannah - 1 Samuel 1:19
4. Triumph with crowns - Judgment Seat of Christ - Hebrews 6:10, 1 Corinthians 4:5

Today as we serve the Lord we need to remember that God remembers!!!

Walk With God - Genesis 5:15-32

Genesis 5:22 - "And Enoch walked with God..." Enoch shows us how to walk with God
1. A Consistent walk - "walked" - The fellowship that Enoch had with God was one of continuous consistency. Our walk with God, the time we allow Him to talk to us and we talk to Him should be consistent. (Psalm 1:1-3) God honors faithful men and women (1 Corinthians 4:2)
2. A Close walk - "with" - This word implies closeness, harmony, oneness. Enoch kept his fellowship consistent and close. Our close walk with God is maintained as we walk in the light of openness, honesty, purity, and responsibility. (1 John 1:6-10)
3. A Consecrated walk - "God" - The Hebrew text has the definite article to show the emphasis of "the God". The fellowship that Enoch enjoyed was consistent, close and consecrated to the one, true God. There are many things people have devoted themselves to in this world. Few choose to be devoted, sold out, to God. Our walk with God should have no competing affections. (1 John 2:15-17)

Enoch is also a good example of stewardship of "Testimony" for he preserved the truth (Genesis 5), proclaimed the truth (Jude 14-16) and performed the truth (Hebrews 11:5,6)

Walk with God - and be a blessing!!!

The first and last Adam

Genesis 5:1 begins "these are the generations of Adam". Through Adam sin and death have been "imputed" (passed on, made a part of) to us. Each generation ends "and he died" (Romans 5:12) Matthew 1:1 begins "these are the generations of Jesus Christ", through Christ, the last Adam, righteousness and life are "imputed" to us (1Corinthians 15:22). Just as surely and completely as we are made sinners through the first Adam we are surely and completely saved through the second Adam (Christ). Every person on earth is associated with either the first Adam in death or the second Adam (Christ) in life. Rejoice in the imputed righteousness of Christ and share the GOOD NEWS with someone today.

2 Corinthians 10 Paul's Defense

Unfortunately, Paul had to defend his apostleship to the church at Corinth due to false teachers who were trying to nullify his ministry. Instead of lashing out against the false teachers, Paul defended himself in the meekness and gentleness of Christ (vs. 1). Unlike Paul, it is obvious that the false teachers in the church were not using the same tactics to gain followers. These other teachers were "warring in the flesh" with their outward appearances and by ranking themselves against other people in the church. Those in the Corinthian church that would have followed these teachers showed some immaturity by not realizing the faults in their methodology. Paul also acknowledges the purpose of his apostleship, to edify the church, not to destroy it. Paul gave a final warning in the last two verses of the chapter. These instructions are a great way to discern the motives of an individual in ministry. Verse 17 and 18 say, "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."
Verse 5 gives us our challenge for the day. "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Let us please the Lord today in our thoughts as well as our actions.

2 Corinthians 8:16-24 Don't Shoot the Messenger

The next passage in chapter 8 switches away from stewardship and toward a request made by Paul for the Corinthian church to receive Titus and the other brother well. Certainly, Paul was developing a type of celebrity status within the church and the Corinthians's wanted the big name guy to come into town and teach them. But Paul subtly reminds them in verses 18 and 19 why they should not be so concerned. Titus and the "brother" were coming to the Corinthians with praise from other churches "in the Gospel" and they were traveling "with this grace" to be administered wherever they went. Paul's point here is that it does not matter who the preacher is, it only matters what is being taught. What truly makes a good preacher or teacher is one who accurately teaches the truth of the Word of God, especially the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
So, whether the most popular preacher of our day brings the message on Sunday morning or your own pastor, you should be equally excited. You are going to hear a word from the Lord!

2 Corinthians 8:1-15 Stewardship

Another spiritual discipline the Corinthian church needed to work on was stewardship. Paul gave the church two examples and an exhortation to help encourage them to improve this aspect of their spiritual lives in order to meet spiritual and physical needs in the church.
The first example presented is the Macedonian church. Their testimony included the endurance of a great trial which they overcame through the care of each other in good stewardship and giving. Paul shares the key to their successful giving in verse 5, "...but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." The Christians in Macedonia had their priorities in place. Remember, in Acts chapter 2, the early church in Jerusalem gave everything they had to the church in order to share it equally. The Macedonian church did not necessarily give the same way, but did realize that they themselves belonged to God. After we give ourselves to God entirely, which is what He desires, our possessions no longer appear as our possessions. When we realize that everything we have belongs to the Lord, our stewardship of those things will be liberated from the greed and pettiness that we are prone to exercise.
The next example of stewardship we see in this passage is that of Jesus Christ. First, we are told that our giving, "proves the sincerity of your love." Christ certainly proved his sincerity to us. We are told in verse 9 that He made Himself poor so that through His poverty, we could become rich. God told us that He loved us and proved it by giving us His Son. We should be willing therefore, in an effort to imitate Christ, to give to those whom we say that we love.
In his exhortation, Paul reminds us that a willing mind only goes as far as our mind. We have to do things in order for things to get done. Paul also reminds us that as we collectively supply to the needs of others, we also will be blessed in our time of individual need. If we as a church are mindful of the needs of our people, and are willing to give of our own excess, we can be assured that the church will be able to meet the needs of everyone, even when that someone is you.

2 Corinthians 7:2-16 Godly Sorrow

In today's quiet time, we learn about proper sorrow when confronted with sin. A sorrow that results in positive changes in our lives.

Paul was greatly joyed to find through the testimony of Titus that the church at Corinth had responded positively to his teachings. They could have responded in two ways. Verse 10 tells us, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." The Corinthian believers could have received their first epistle and been sorrowful in a selfish and damaging way. They could have decided to forget about Paul and the doctrines he had taught and gone their own way. But, praise the Lord, they chose to heed the correction which was given to them. The church had a godly sorrow concerning the mistakes they were making. As a church, they corrected their errors.

True repentance always brings correction. To repent is to turn away from sin. We can say that we are sorry to God, but if we do not have that godly sorrow as a result of our acknowledgement of sin, we will surely continue to struggle with it. But, when that godly sorrow is present in our hearts and minds, we will be repentant and proactively make changes.

Verse 11 shows us examples of changes that can result from godly sorrow. We will be more careful. We will be givers of our time, talents and treasures (clearing of yourselves). We will be indignant toward sin. We will live with a healthy fear of God. We will possess a vehement desire to please Him. By expressing all of these qualities, we can even get revenge over the person that we were before!

Paul shows his confidence in the church in verse 16. It says, "I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things." The reason why Paul could have such universal confidence in the church was because he knew their hearts were right. If Paul knew he was going to have to battle against opposition at every turn, he certainly would not have placed such trust and confidence. But, because Paul knew that the people were tender toward learning and being instructed, he knew they could be trusted. The Corinthians had shown Paul their godly hearts by displaying a godly sorrow when confronted, resulting in repentance and positive growth.

2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 Separation

"Be ye not unequally yoked..." We have heard this terminology so many times in our lives. It seems to always deal with marriage. At the personal level, this is a critical principle to follow. Our marriage partner should be equally yoked with us. (Or like minded, striving toward the same goal) This verse should also apply to business co-executives, lawyers in a firm, close friendships and other close or important personal relationships. But, even though all of these partnerships do certainly require an equal yoke, we cannot forget who else needs to stay separated from the rest of the lost world.

Paul wrote this letter to the church at Corinth as a collective unit. We must also then consider this command as it relates to our church. The idea that it is better for churches to unite, despite their differences in doctrine, is not what God desires. In fact, it directly disobeys the command we read in Scripture today! Calvary Baptist Church should never align herself with a false church. What exactly is a false church? Any church who does not believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, is a false church. These false churches are unfortunately filled with unbelievers and we cannot create an alliance with unbelievers. Verse 14 in chapter 6 asks, "What fellowship hath righteousness, with unrighteousness?" The obvious answer is none. Our relationship with the unbeliever should be focused on giving and living the Gospel in the hope that they will accept Christ into their lives as well.

The first verse in chapter 7 gives us our application for the day. We have promises from God to indwell us, to walk in us, to be our God and to be our Father. As a result of this truth, and because of the reverential fear of God, which we should have, we need to rid ourselves of the alliances we may possess with this sinful world. This step of obedience will allow us to present our bodies a "living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1)