Earlier we’ve been encouraged at BBF here in Boquete, Panama, to read the 121 chapters or so from Romans thru Jude several times this year. Why? Because in my words, they are the portion of our owner’s manual that is not predominately historical or prophetical. Rather, these books in your Bible are those pages for example, you’d find in the owners manual for your new 70 foot sailboat, or possibly, even your Lear jet, (I chose those two examples specifically rather than your car) to set the stage for most of us to realize that just as we are clueless to a practical working knowledge of all the physical dynamics involved in either sailing or flying, I maintain that similarly, we largely as newly recruited Gentile believers, have not yet a clue for the actual mind of God for the specifics as how to practically build His kingdom.
Oh, we know the stories, and much of the history, but for us to troubleshoot the electrical diagrams of the sensors for the autopilots whether sailing or flying depending on weather conditions, I compare that lack of practical experience similar to what today’s believers may face, be they new or long term, in that they have not yet applied due diligence to understanding and applying either His Scriptural or Spirit infused wisdom and guidance practically in the “nuts & bolts of LOVE engineering ” for building His kingdom. And that is exactly what these Romans to Jude books excel at, so drink deeply!
For example, v. 11 “how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way.” Ouch! Or, V. 14 “Don’t become partners with those who reject God” & v. 17 “So leave the corruption and compromise…”
This has been the most fulfilling & rewarding Bible reading suggestion yet for me, and this is my second time thru already. Frequently, I just keep reading, get inspired, and send clips to friends, etc. I’m using my NIV/Message Parallel Bible for this; principally from NIV, but frequently the inspirational clips are from the Message because it is not familiar to many.. Enjoy.
2 Corinthians 6:1-18 (MSG)
- Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us.
- God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; The day you needed me, I was there to help. Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped.
- Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing.
- Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times;
- when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating;
- with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love;
- when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right;
- when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted;
- ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die;
- immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.
- Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life.
- We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way.
- I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!
- Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark?
- Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands?
- Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: “I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people.
- So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,” says God. “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself.