April 11, 2014
WALKING BY GENUINE FAITH
2 Corinthians 13
Emily Runnels
Central Truth
In this last chapter of 2 Corinthians, Paul calls the people to self-examine the sincerity of their faith. He desires them to reevaluate what is truly inside their hearts. Trust? Doubt? The call is to walk by the Spirit, which produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? -- unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians 13:5)
2 Corinthians 13
Final Warnings
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— 3 since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
Final Greetings
11 Finally, brothers, 1 13:11 Or brothers and sisters rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, 2 13:11 Or listen to my appeal agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Dive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 13
When I look at what Christ has called me to do, it is very easy to shrink back and act like everything is okay. I could choose not to move and just wait for Him to fix me Himself, but He has commanded us to live according to His ways. Many times throughout the years I believed that once I gave my life to Him, He would just step in and "cure" me of all my wickedness. Of course, my sins have been forgiven, but that does not mean I can sit back and do nothing. Every day, I want to strive to examine my heart and be sure of where my faith is being placed. God tells us we are to walk by the Spirit, which produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23). By walking according to Him, we are walking by faith.
Personally, trust is my biggest struggle. I often think that my sins are too much for God to handle and that there is no way He could forgive me. In these moments, faith is not present. I'm saying that my Savior is not great enough to give me redemption. He still loves me unconditionally, but my heart must change to obey His purpose for me.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
Testing faith is not a once-in-awhile type of thing. We are called to walk on the edge of this world, spread our wings, and fly. Then, we can have the faith that God will catch us when we inevitably fall because He is a God of grace. My prayer is that every single day my faith will grow stronger and stronger and that others will see it and ask me how I can live with such peace. I will tell them: I walk by faith. The way of faith is the way of victory, peace, assurance, and endurance.
Discussion Questions
1. In what areas of life do you put your faith before you put it in Christ?
2. What is your definition of faith (in your own words)?
3. How would your life now differ from a life lived walking in faith every day? What would change?
4. What does your faith in Christ look like? At work? School? Is it hidden or proclaimed?
5. List at least three different ways that you can start testing your faith and reevaluating your heart.
Application: Make walking by faith a day-by-day commitment. Trust in Him. Abide by His ways. Share His unending love.