The Truth comes to Corinth Part 2 Volume 30

Paul reminds them that Pure Love brought Christ from Heaven

2 Corinthian 8:7-10 Therefore, as ye abound in everything in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. KJV

The words “I love you” mean a lot to those closest to us when we say them, but if our behavior toward them is constant strife, or hurtful actions, discord, and or bitter conflict, then they will carry no weight with the recipient. For how can someone intentionally cause hurt upon another who they claim to love? These three words are often bounced about by many people, even the redeemed of God, without looking deeply into the true meaning of them. The Apostle John (once known as one of the sons of thunder) who wanted to call down fire from Heaven on a group of Samaritans (Luke 9:54) became the Apostle of love and wrote these Holy Spirit inspired words, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:14-18).

Just like the Apostle John, Paul is here reminding the Corinthians of the greatest expression and evidence of real love agape love this world has ever seen. Our Lord Jesus Christ is God, but yet He gave up all the majesty, splendor, and riches of Heaven to lower Himself by becoming what He created and living as His own creation and His only reason was His Love for lost humanity. Jesus Christ being God has nothing to prove to us, but He proved beyond measure the depths of His love for us by His birth, and His giving Himself up to be killed to pay the penalty for our transgressions and sin. This was love poured out far beyond words, but with undisputed deeds of loving kindness to those of us He has redeemed. Paul wants the Corinthians to be motivated by what Christ has already done so graciously for us and exhorts them to carry out to completion what he instructed and urged them to do a year earlier (1 Corinthians 16:1-3). Paul’s primary concern in receiving collections of monetary support always was for the poor and struggling saints or the redeemed children of God and not those who were outside of Christ Body.

It is Paul responding to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ when He said, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:31-33). The reason our Lord Jesus speaks these words to His children is because He will furnish the needs of His children who are poor and struggling through His other children that He has richly provided for and blessed. The accumulation of earthly wealth to live a lavish, opulent, sumptuous, and luxurious lifestyle is not the goal of a regenerated born again child of God, but that of the unbeliever. Paul’s words to them is not as if he is speaking military commands that must be obeyed and carried out or there will be punishment, however, Paul calls it advice to them because forced love is not love at all. Paul did not want any money from them that came from a feeling of obligation and not from love for their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem who were being plundered by the Roman authorities of all their property and goods.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was not forced to take on human flesh by God the Father, but instead He offered up Himself as the writer of Hebrews writes in this manner in two separate places (1), “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:14-18) and (2), “For it was fitting for us to have such a High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the Heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself” (Hebrews 7:26-27). It was a willing gift to these fellow brothers and sisters in desperate need that Paul wanted the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ for the Corinthians to compel their giving to those in Jerusalem, because it would be them giving back to our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…