“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10

For most people, there are plenty of times when we feel bad for things we’ve said or done. The question is, what do we do with that guilt, shame, regret, or sorrow? Do we remain stuck in it? Do we give up and embrace it? Do we double down on doing more of what got us into that state? Or do we repent of it – being genuinely sorry and letting everyone involved know that we are sorry and resolved to change our ways?

That’s what Paul’s talking about here. He’d written a sharp letter to his Corinthian friends (all of them followers of Jesus). They’d made mistakes and he pointed those out because he loved them too much not to. They’d been wounded by what he wrote. But rather than indulge their hurt feelings and prepare their defenses, they’d been humble enough to recognize the truth of what he’d written. They saw where they’d fallen into sin and they repented of it.

God never wants you to remain stuck in guilt, shame, sorrow, or regret. He doesn’t want you defending what got you in that place. He wants you rejecting it. His grace is freely available to everyone who truly repents of what they’ve done. His grace is always freely available to you. When you’re in a place of grief over some sin you’ve committed or hurt you have inflicted, turn back to God. Confess your sorrow and sin to God and ask His forgiveness in the name of Jesus. He will always forgive! Do the same to any person affected by your actions and pray they will respond like God. God’s always ready to forgive and embrace His children – we just need to swallow our pride and ask. #FollowJesus

“But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;” – 2 Corinthians 6:4-5

On this Labor Day, it’s helpful to remember that God created and ordained work before mankind fell into sin. Work was created to be a gift, a source of satisfaction, and significant for the Lord. Our ancestors’ fall into sin brought a curse upon work, so that it isn’t always as pleasant or fulfilling as God created it to be. Nonetheless, honest labor remains honorable, glorifying to God, and a blessing that helps provide for oneself and others. It is good when we can take pleasure in good work done well for the glory of God.

As Christians, we’re further invited into the challenging but fulfilling labor of God’s Kingdom. We’re called to make disciples as we go about our lives. Some people are specially called to devote themselves full-time to Kingdom work, as Paul describes. However, every Christian is called into God’s work. In the labor of the Lord you will find joy and probably some heartache, significance and sometimes suffering, purpose and the presence of God. Don’t avoid His work. Embrace it in the power of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice in God’s invitation to labor and trust in His blessing of your efforts on His behalf. #FollowJesus

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16

Can you say this about yourself? Every Christian has access to the Holy Spirit power that does this. But many Christians don’t use that power. They aren’t seeing their inner self renewed daily. Sometimes they put so much energy into trying to slow the wasting away of their body that they neglect the renewal of their mind and soul. The reality is that our physical bodies are corrupted by the Fall into sin. Over time, they will inevitably break down, grow weak, and become ill. It’s certainly wise to be a good steward of your body by eating right, getting exercise, and getting good sleep. However, obsessing over that won’t prevent the inevitable decay of your body over time. At best, it can slow that decay.

However, in Christ, our inner being, our soul, doesn’t have to be that way. Our soul is eternal. Once we put our trust in Jesus Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit of God comes to live in us. He’s in us to renew and transform our soul, if we’ll let Him. Jesus invites you to cultivate a spiritual life that is continually renewed by the Holy Spirit, growing more and more vibrant and spiritually impactful, even as your body inevitably breaks down. This was Paul’s experience. Even as he felt the effects of age, travel, persecution, incarceration, and physical abuse, his soul was growing ever stronger in the Lord.

How do you strengthen and renew your inner self daily? Spend time in God’s Word, reading and studying it for yourself each day. Take a few minutes to meditate on what you read – what does it mean and how does it apply in your life. Spend unhurried time in prayer, talking to God and listening for Him. Worship Him often in public and private. Discipline yourself to give joyfully to God’s work on earth. Serve God energetically and sacrificially, pouring out your life for Him. Share Christ happily with those who don’t know Him. Find ways to spend time with God’s people, enjoying the fellowship of the saints. #FollowJesus

“But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” – 2 Corinthians 3:16

For those who don’t yet trust in Christ, there is a “veil” preventing them from fully appreciating the beauty and glory of Scripture. People can know an enormous amount about the Bible, but to see its true glory, its elegance, and the logic and beauty of the salvation it describes in Jesus Christ is a spiritual activity. One must have trusted in Christ and received God’s Spirit to clearly see all that God’s Word has to offer.

If you’ve ever had the experience (either looking back at your own past or talking with someone else) where you or they totally didn’t understand a Bible passage that you (now) clearly understand, that’s the veil! The veil shields those who are still rebellious against God from the full glory of His gracious gift of revelation. However, once a person believes in Jesus, he or she has the Holy Spirit, the most important equipping needed to read the Bible effectively.

If you’re a believer, the veil has been removed! Are you living like that? Are you digging into the glorious truths of Scripture for yourself? Are you reading or listening to a good portion of God’s Word each day? Meditating on what it means and how it applies in your life? Searching for answers to your questions? Gathering with other believers to grow in your understanding? If you aren’t, you’re missing out on God’s love letter to you. You’re missing out on the main way God speaks to His people. And you’re missing out on a critical, God-given privilege and instrument of your own personal growth in Christ. Read God’s Word and #FollowJesus!

“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” – 2 Corinthians 2:15

What do you smell like today? Do you smell like Jesus or do you smell like everyone else? Obviously, this isn’t about your actual, physical smell… Paul is saying that those who are fully, faithfully following Jesus to the best of their Spirit-filled ability act, speak, and represent Jesus in the world. When people see them, they see Jesus. When they hear them, they hear Jesus. When they’re cared for by them, they’re cared for by Jesus. Genuine followers of Jesus are the sweet presence of Christ in a sour world. That’s what it means to be the aroma of Christ among the people of the world.

So, is that what you smell like today? Have you “put on the Lord Jesus” and submitted your life and this day to His Lordship? Have you died to yourself and committed to live for Jesus Christ? Will you carry the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control of Jesus into the world, no matter what comes your way? What can you do to be more like Jesus and less like your natural self as you go about your business today?

Paul goes on to say that not everyone will enjoy your smell if you truly smell like Jesus. For those on the path of sin and rejection of God, the aroma of Christ is a reminder of their final destination. It won’t be enjoyed. That doesn’t make it any less important! Don’t be afraid of how people will react to you, just focus on pleasing God as Christ’s presence wherever you go. Smell like Jesus as you #FollowJesus!