Think about the words you would use to describe the Church today.
When Paul wrote his letters to the Corinthian church, he didn’t know what the Church today would look like. Designations like Catholic and Protestant, Reformed and Arminian, even conservative and liberal, didn’t exist. And yet, in the newly formed Church of Paul’s day, they still needed to pursue unity. Dissension fractured the new body of believers, much as it has for centuries. The study of Church history is the study of fractions, disjointed parts that make a whole.
The last chapter of 2 Corinthians is Paul’s plea to his Corinthian brothers and sisters. A brief review of Paul’s relationship with the church at Corinth might be helpful here as we close our study of both letters—first Corinthians was Paul’s instruction manual to Corinth. He clarified new Christian traditions and social positions (everything from spiritual gifts to marriage to the Lord’s Supper). Factions in the church had begun to form around different interpretations of these traditions. Church leaders who opposed Paul began to gain traction around their interpretations, and Paul responded with a strong letter of rebuke (which was later lost).
Many Corinthian believers responded well to Paul’s rebuke and found sure footing again. But dissenting factions remained, and it was to these people that Paul addressed 2 Corinthians. Paul really put himself out there in this letter. It was his defense for himself as a leader but also for the cause of Christ. Second Corinthians is emotional and strong, like the closing arguments of a political debate or a courtroom drama.
Many scholars and commentaries refer to 2 Corinthians as Paul’s apologia pro vita sua, a latin phrase which means “a defense of one’s life.” He defended himself, he defended the body of Christ, and he defended the faith. Church unity was one of Paul’s soapboxes. He returned to it over and over, even in his closing statements to the Corinthians.
Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace.
—2 Corinthians 13:11
Restoration, comfort, agreeableness, peace—as the body of Christ, Paul calls us to these things in this important epistle. Can you imagine if those words described the Church today, let alone the Church throughout history?
Here’s what I believe about the Church, in a rather church-y metaphor. When you look at a piece of stained glass, you see one of two things first. You can see the whole beautiful picture, or you can see the hundreds or thousands of smaller pieces of glass. All of those different pieces of glass have a purpose; they bring a unique color, perspective, shape, or function to the whole piece of art. But the primary goal of all of those little pieces is to come together to present one beautiful message to its audience.
Until Christ returns, the Church will always be made up of thousands of pieces, expressions, or denominations. Each one brings something different to the body, yet all too often, we err on the side of contentiousness, distrust, or outright anger toward those other parts of the body. But our prayer should always be, as Paul’s was, that we present a mature, unified picture of the body of Christ, being of the same mind, at peace with one another and with God. In this way, we will display the glory and the heart of our King, Jesus Christ.
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57 thoughts on "Finally, Rejoice"
The way to find true peace is through Jesus and following after him. All too often I try to find peace in my circumstances and everything working out just the way I want it to. This peace is so fleeting. I pray I would find God’s peace that surpasses all understanding. ❤️
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Sending you a rejoicing hug and love, whilst my feet do the Praise the Lord dance!
God is good..
AMEN.♥️
It is interesting how divided our churches are.
Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace.
—2 Corinthians 13:11
I do love the title “Finally. (I’m adding a period!) REJOICE!
If nothing else REJOICE that we are saved! Thank you Jesus…if my life is not what I long for…at least I can REJOICE in the saving of Jesus! BUT also, in that we too are redeemed, restored, energized, held fast, given peace, given hope, given Resurrection Power! He is my all, my everything…MY JESUS, as Mari V says!
I am thankful, that my first reaction of- HOW are all the different faiths, that believe and interpret completely contradictory truths, all belonging to the same picture… is changed to just take a deep breath and- finally rejoice. Paul is strong and full of dramatic words to slash and cut, and bruise, yet they build you up. Then I hopped over to HRT and liked that wrap up as well!
Have a good day, and thanks for praying for all the needs and mine! We have homeless today, and I am spent already. Tired and non-motivated. ————-Lord, speak life into this weary soul and rouse it! Help me to Speak for You and only YOU! Your truth and Light, that I may shine bright for you, and all of us She’s! That we remember love above all and to shower others with it. Help us to stay in your word and to ask for wisdom, and discernment. I want to be a vessel for You Lord, thank you for giving us this amazing power through the Holy Spirit! May the Spirit give us too, grace to shower on all others and each other. Amen.
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HAPPY FRIDAY sweeties!!!! I’m off to another meeting having to be there soon. Today’s reading reminded me of Psalm 139:14 We are all fearfully and wonderfully made. Gotta go……
How fleeting peace can be. We wish serene moments of the soul would just come and stay, but they never seem to. Not for long, anyway. As I read the last two day’s comments, we’ve all felt this deep desire for inner stillness during certain seasons of the wild life we’re living. We know what peace feels like. We love it and long for it. We’ve been embraced by the covering of comfort before. But then it seems as quickly as it graces us with sweet, soothing presence, the strong currents of unexpected circumstances whip into our path and wipe away every trace of calm and collectedness. There are demands at home. Deadlines with work. Needs of service to loved ones. Requests for help at church. Obligations to friends and family. So many seeming responsibilities that need our time and attention. I experienced this so much the last few days with my son’s car trouble on vacation, the car being unfixable, my son getting strep throat, a dear family member dying of brain cancer, and myself facing and preparing for knee replacement along with fighting a bad case of gastritis. I keep trying to focus on Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.”
As Paul closes Corinthians with a plea for unity, our church which tried a replant that went off the rails has been sold to another church of a different denomination. Sunday we have our first worship service together and a day of celebration. We are both very excited!!
Peace be with you.
oh my, prayers for all that is weighing on you!
“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2co.13.11.NIV
This should be our goal! Think how many more people could be reached if we all worked in unity. But we must pray for wisdom and discernment on when we need to stand firm against any false teachings. And Rejoice! And walk worthy of the Lord!
So thankful for all of you! Thankful for SEARCHING listing all the prayer requests! Praying for all of you!
Please pray for a friends husband, Brian, who has an infection on his aortic valve. The infection has spread throughout his body. It is affecting his kidneys and lungs. He needs a miracle! But we know The Miracle Maker!
Prayers for you friends husband Brian.
I really like Melanie’s use of stained glass imagery! It reminded me of a quilt my grandmother made for our wedding gift. All through my teen years, I shared scraps of fabric left after I made an outfit. When she made my quilt, she used mostly pieces I had given her. What fun to see the tiny piece of fabric and remember when I used it, etc. Thanks for that reminder of my Mamaw, Melanie, and that each piece of our growth is connected with others. ❤
“.. walk worthy of the Lord,
fully pleasing to him …”
Colossians 1:10
This is the verse on our church’s homepage on our website.
~How do we walk in a way that is WORTHY? If we had any doubts a month ago, we have some answers now. This study has been so fulfilling. Yes, there were questions and ‘mysteries’ along the way, but your comments and reflections have been outstanding! The devotionals have been exceptional – SRT writers, you have really blessed us here; thank you for using the talent God gave you to shine His light!
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And, yes- FINALLY, REJOICE!
From HRT today:
“This is Paul’s heart for his readers—not a little boost of positivity at the end but rich, grounded, substantial hope and unity in Jesus. That is why and how he can say “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice,” because of the work of Jesus in and for them and for us.” – B. Piper
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Have a blessed weekend, sisters; love you all! ❤
What a mic drop- I can only imagine what those hearing this letter felt. Was it conviction? Anger? Relief? Lord I am praising you today for Your encouragement with this letter- thank you for Paul, thank you for the people of Corinth and thank you for Your Word- may I always be emerged in it!! Happy Friday She’s! Praying for unity in your life especially! ☮️❤️
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I love it! FINALLY, REJOICE!!! When all the work is done, FINALLY REJOICE!! When we’ve pushed thru all the struggles and contention, FINALLY, REJOICE!! When we’ve dealt with our own inner weaknesses, FINALLY, REJOICE!! After we’ve strived to be one and at peace, FINALLY, REJOICE!!! God wants us to have a spirit of joy and happiness! We don’t want the world to think we are a bunch of downers. We have every reason to rejoice! We are DAUGHTERS OF THE KING!!!! We have been adopted into THE FAMILY!! REJOICE!!! We have the keys to an abundantly joyful life, we have the tools (the holy scriptures) to tell us how to live. REJOICE!!! Be very blessed today knowing that you have every thing needed for an abundantly mature joyful Christian life.
<3
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Amen
These readings and message this morning is fitting for my next 10 days. I belong to a Christian camp that holds a 10 day program every summer. It has done this since the 1870’s. It started out as one denomination and now is multi. We come from all over the country and outside of. We are Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist, Congregationalist, Lutheran, Baptist, Evangelical, etc. You get the idea, Bible study each morning is lively with discussion, vespers each night is different. Our prayer each year is to respect each other, even when we differ. There is faith growth in the understanding of others. These grounds we meet on and worship on are hallow. Please pray for us collectively as we study and worship. Thank you all and prayers for each sister, whether quiet or writing. ❤️
Wow, Donna! Thanks for sharing the details of this camp. That sounds like a 10 day Billy Graham event! Praying for you as you mingle and learn and love over the camp period. Please share some highlights with us when you get back – either here or on the She’s FB page! Love you!
Donna – your camp sounds wonderful! The opportunity to study and pray with believers from many denominations. I would love that! Can’t wait to hear about your experiences.
“But our prayer should always be, as Paul’s was, that we present a mature, unified picture of the body of Christ, being of the same mind, at peace with one another and with God. In this way, we will display the glory and the heart of our King, Jesus Christ.” This is beautiful and definitely a prayer we should be praying. I caution though, that presenting a unified picture of the body of Christ is hard when there are people within the “Christian” faith who have distorted views about Christ and then they teach a distorted gospel.
My prayer is that the Holy Spirit brings clarity and discernment to those compromising God’s truth and teaching a false Gospel, and that they realize that their false teachings do not help in presenting a unified body of Christ. I see this as a bold prayer we need in the church body today. And I am thankful for this study that really has stirred me to pray more for our church as a whole. Be blessed, she’s.
Yes, thank you, I was thinking the same thing, that we have to be careful and cautious, because truth is, there are many wrong faiths. We can’t not stand firm in the truth and the words of the Bible.
Great point, Maria! Sadly, many false teachers are likely out more for their personal agenda than any actual teaching, making it even harder to break through those walls. More of what KELLY said – glorious tension. I will join you in your prayer! ❤
Gosh, unity. Can you imagine a united Church, following the word of God instead of the whims of man? If you think about unity, it can also be dangerous. We have examples of people being united for evil and not for good. Being of one mind – but that mind is set on destruction. I long for unity. Some days my heart is so troubled by the disunity in my life: between family members, between church members, between citizens of this “united” states. Lord God, only YOU can unite us as one. May we move forward in unity for YOUR glory and not our own.
I’m with you, it troubles my soul as well. It’s hard to want to seek unity, yet we know “the way is narrow” and we should be firm standing in the truth! My soul is weary one moment and flying high the next.
Mature and encouraged. When problems from the world we live in come, I confess, mature and encouraged is not how I respond much of the time. This has been a great study!
Looking beyond what Melanie asks, Restoration, comfort, agreeableness, peace—Can you imagine if those words described the Church today, let alone our homes, our workplaces, our close and far families, our cities, states/provinces, countries? Lord, please guide me to do my part in living these attributes in my heart, words and actions … until heaven.
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BG verse today James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
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TINA ❤️
MERCY – ❤️ thank you for your post yesterday! Praying for healing.
DONNA WOLCOTT – may your heart and soul be filled and encouraged at camp
TRACI GENDRON ❤️ I’m always so moved by your testimony
KATIE MEGEE – praying for you through your treatments
MIA FAITH – continuing to pray for your and your family
KARRIE – good to see you, praying for guidance for your daughter
RHONDA J – praying for your nephew!
SUSAN JOINER – thank you for Wyatt update, praying
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LYNNE FROM AL – continuing to pray for you and for Jack, dear sister ❤️
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CEE GEE – ❤️❤️ loved your reply yesterday that we are not strangers here, amen!!!
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Sisters, thank you so much for your prayers yesterday. I did not go to urgent care. After much prayer and discussion with my husband, I didn’t feel compelled to go (and likely would have only received a shot for the pain and no progress to solution). I say “only” a shot for the pain, I would have gladly taken it in the wee hours as I prayed, it’s me, God, and I am miserable. Praying for wisdom for my primary today re treatment or appropriate referral. Love you all!
Thank you!
Thank you . Hope today is better for u ❤️
❤ praying along with you for direction toward healing, not just a band-aid. I am glad you held out because I was afraid you would cancel today’s appt. if you went the other route.
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Great thoughts in your opening paragraph! Love you, sister!❤
Searching, I’m praying for answers and treatment, as well as relief from pain.
Amen
“Unity is not conformity” yet Paul has shown us forsaking God’s Truth in the name of “love” is not “being one” as Jesus and the Father are one.
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More of the glorious tension we must prayerfully navigate until Christ returns.
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TRACI GENDRON – thank you for further explaining what you ment by “Debbie’s numbers being down.”
Rejoicing all the more for this miraculous turn of prognosis.
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SEARCHING – praying you are feeling better soon.
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MERCY – praying your eyes will be restored
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SUSAN JOINER – continuing to pray for Wyatt’s recovery and healing.
Thank you, Kelly!
Amen!
“Glorious tension”… love that! ❤
Amen
“We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God”- Colossians 1:9-10
This is my prayer for us, dear Sisters.
Have a blessed weekend. See you in Galatians on Monday!
Blessings,
Tricia
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This reminded me of the song We Are One In The Spirit
We Are One In The Lord (2)
And We Pray That All Unity
May One Day Be Restored
And They’ll Know We Are
Christians By Our Love, By Our Love;
Yes, They’ll Know We Are Christians
By Our Love!
We Will Walk With Each Other
We Will Walk Hand In Hand (2)
And Together We Will Spread The News,
That God Is In Our Land
And They’ll Know We Are
Christians By Our Love, By Our Love;
Yes, They’ll Know We Are Christians
By Our Love!
We Will Work With Each Other
We Will Work Side By Side (2)
And We’ll Guard Each Man’s Dignity,
And Save Each Man’s Pride.
And They’ll Know We Are
Christians By Our Love, By Our Love;
Yes, They’ll Know We Are Christians
By Our Love!
Wow. I haven’t heard that song in ages! Thank you for the reminder!
Always one of my favorite songs growing up! Amen ❤️
Wow – totally forgot about this song. It will be running through my head all day today. We used to sing it often when I was in youth group.
<3
One of my favorites! Thanks for sharing.
I was originally raised Catholic but we changed almost 20 years ago. I haven’t thought of this song in years and it just came to me as I read today’s devotional:
We are many parts, we are all one body.
And the gifts we have we are given to share.
May the Spirit of love, make us one indeed.
One, the love that we share;
one, our hope in despair,
one, the cross that we bear.
♡♡♡
I never heard that song, Lorelai. Thank you for sharing.
Amen
I was raised Catholic too! I can immediately hear it in my head. Thanks for sharing! ❤️
Jesus Christ is in us, sweet She’s.
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That’s all I have to say about that.
oh no, up again at 2am. :(
Praying you start sleeping again tonight friend!
Me too! ❤️
Adrienne I am awake throughout the night. I can’t imagine sleeping through or just getting quality sleep for less hours how good I’d feel. I feel your pain..
I have tossed and turned for years with back pain and recently started magnesium since others recommended it for help to sleep better–it has worked amazing for me! And most people don’t get enough magnesium, so it’s a win-win!
I’ve thought of you and your chronic back pain. I don’t know how you live with it. Magnesium is one of the things that was ordered for lab work, so we’ll see. ❤️
Right?!?! ❤️