2 Corinthians 1:15-24 – The Sureness of Our Saviour
Paul is less concerned with what the Corinthians think about him personally than he is with what they think about Jesus Christ. He is concerned that as they turn away from the messenger, that they’re in danger of turning away from the message of Jesus Christ. When there’s tension or disagreement, it’s very easy to begin to think of our own concerns, reputation, selfish interests in that conflict, and then begin to plan how to defend ourselves. And instead of that, Paul lets all of those personal concerns go by the wayside, and he draws them right into the message that he was bringing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In verses 17 and following, the faithfulness of God and the message of Jesus Christ becomes Paul’s subject. He wants to make sure that the church has not lost sight of the Savior because of any of the deficiencies of the messenger. See the great joy that Paul has in what Jesus has done. Jesus Christ is not a fickle messenger. There’s no inconsistency in Him. He is the yes, the completion of the promises of God. Paul is saying, ‘The offense that I have caused is leading you to lose sight of the foundation of our faith. You’re letting that offense, letting that correction, letting temptations turn you away from the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, one Son of God who has sacrificed for us’. In short, he is concerned that the message of the gospel is being lost as they turn away from the messenger.
In verses 21 and 22, Paul uses words that describe the sureness of our relationship in Christ. He says that God has established us. And that word carries authority in it. That the Father in Christ has the authority to claim us as His own. He says that He has anointed us. That’s a word that is especially significant in thinking of what Jesus Christ has done for us.It’s an anointing that God gives to the offices in the Old Testament, and it’s a word that he applies to the priesthood of all believers. As we are brought into the presence through Jesus Christ, he says, you belong in this special way. You are anointed. Not only anointed, but you are sealed. We might call that the proof of purchase. He’s saying, you belong to me. And how do we know that? Because the Father and the Son have given the Spirit to us. We have a guarantee, like a deposit, that we belong to God.
Question
- How does Jesus fulfil promises?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.