Paul made it clear that the only reason for his success in ministry was because of the power of God through Christ. God carved the Law onto stone, which was amazing. The gospel, which fulfills the Law, by bringing forgiveness of sins and eternal life is so much more amazing! Hope gives boldness - the news is too good to be shy about telling it. Some won't hear it, but those who do are blessed. Through the Spirit we become like Christ.
God had given them this work to do, so he wasn't discouraged when things didn't go the way he thought they would. They focused on truth and lived honestly. If people didn't believe, it was because Satan had kept them from seeing the truth. Jesus is the light of the world. Paul had plenty of hardships because of his work for God, but he knew none of it really mattered; it was temporary. He knew that in the end he would be raised with Jesus to live in the presence of God. It was all worth it because God's grace reached more and more people. Paul said, "...we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever." (4:18)
When the time comes for us to go home, we will shed our earthly body, and put on the one God has prepared for us. We will be transformed and appear before Christ to be judged according to whatever we have done on earth, good or bad. Paul knows that Christ died for him, so he is living for Christ, and so too should we all. When we become joined to Christ, God changes us and makes us new.
God is calling to you, answer Him! Paul and his companions had put up with many hardships emotionally, physically and mentally from those they tried to serve. It wasn't all bad, but it was challenging. Paul begged the Corinthians to open their hearts wide so they could see his love for them. Paul warned the people to stay away from pagan idols and quoted Leviticus, Isaiah and 2Samuel.
Paul expressed his pride in the people in Corinth and asked for their acceptance of him and his companions. They were very encouraged to see Titus. Paul related his pleasure at the report Titus gave about being so welcomed by the people. Paul told them that even if his first letter made them sad, he was glad he wrote it because it helped them change their ways. God uses a sadness to bring a change of heart that leads people to salvation. But sadness that isn't from God leads to death. But the people got stronger and more devoted to God because of Paul's letter. Paul was encouraged by that change and also by the way Titus had told him they welcomed him and listened to him. Paul was happy to be able to depend on them completely.
Tomorrow read 2 Corinthians 8-12
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