Friday, 15 May 2020 2 Corinthians 1:1-24
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. -2 Corinthians 1:20
The Apostle Paul gives us a marvellous revelation of the certainty and fulfilment of all God’s promises through Christ Jesus in 2 Corinthians chapter 1. Paul had intended to visit the church at Corinth twice on his mission journey, but a change in the travel plans led to the brethren criticizing Paul and further questioning the Good News that has been preached to them. Paul firmly affirms the integrity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by stating: "But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us…was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.” (2Cor.1:18-19)
Paul emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the “yes” to all of God’s promises (2 Cor. 1:20). Every promise of God in the Old Testament and New Testament is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In the Garden of Eden, when mankind fell into sin, God promised a Savior who would redeem the world from sin (Genesis 3:15). God promised Abraham that through his offspring all the nations of the world would be blessed (Genesis 22:18). Jesus fulfilled these promises when He in obedience to the Father’s will, came to this fallen world to be the Suffering Servant prophesied of in Isaiah 53, who bore the sins of the world, that through His death and resurrection and by His precious blood, we who have been alienated from God could be reinstated to a rightful relationship with God (Col. 1:21-22). Because Jesus came to be our Redeemer, we can be assured that every promise God has given will come to pass!
Our Heavenly Father who loves us so much that He gave us His Son, has given us the assurance of the fulfilment of all promises through His Son Jesus Christ. How do we appropriate the promises of God in our lives?
Agree with God in prayer (2Cor.1:20): When we say “Amen” to the promises of God through Jesus Christ, we agree with God, that “so be it.” Jesus is the great Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation (Revelations 3:14). When we say Amen in prayer, let it not be a ritualistic act, but the proclamation of our complete confidence that all God’s promises are true and He will fulfil them on our lives for His glory. Remember Jesus promises us that if we ask Him anything according to God’s will, He will do it (John 14:14).
Live by the Spirit (2Cor.1:21-22): God’s children have been sealed with the guarantee of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us the assurance that we are children of God and will receive the full benefits of adoption into God’s Kingdom (Ephesians 1:13-14). The presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the foretaste of the promised eternal life with God. As we live in obedience to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our lives become disciplined and the intimacy of our fellowship with God increases whereby we are able to receive to the fullest His promises in our lives.
In times of uncertainty and disquiet, may God remove any discouragement you feel and fill you with a renewed hope and trust to experience His promises to its fullest.
Think on: Whatever trouble may assail;
Of this we can be sure:
God’s promises can never fail.
They always will endure. ~Hess
Listen: 'Yes and Amen by Chris Tomlin'