Today’s selected reading continues in the second epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Corinth. More specifically today’s passages is found in chapters seven and eight of this New Testament book. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).

 

            “Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on ever side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by th coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, you fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly manner,  that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death . For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea what zeal, yea what revenge! In all thing yes have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how that with fear and trembling ye received him. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things” (2 Corinthians 7:2-16).

 

            “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep overtly abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; praying us with much in treaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, 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 forwards ness of others, and to prove the sincere it’s 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 mighty be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also t o be forward a year ago. Now  therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be fist a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: as it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack” (2 Corinthians 8:1-15).

 

            “But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. For indeed he accepted the Cho ration; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, with is administered by us: providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your life, and of our boasting on your behalf”(2 Corinthians 8:16-24).

 

            When you come to the seventh chapter of the second epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints you will find him building upon that which he had previously written in this epistle. If you begin reading with and from the first verse of the seventh chapter you will find the apostle Paul speaking of and appealing to “these promises” and encouraging the Corinthian saints to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. What’s more is the apostle Paul didn’t merely admonish them to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit but he also encouraged them to perfect holiness in the fear of God. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for these words are intrinsically linked and connected to the words which are found in the sixth chapter of this same epistle. Upon turning back into the sixth chapter of this epistle you will find the apostle Paul comparing and contrasting light with darkness, righteousness with unrighteousness, holiness with sin and the temple of God with the temples of idols. Beginning with the fourteenth verse of the sixth chapter the apostle Paul instructs and admonishes the Corinthian saints to be not unequally yoke together with unbelievers. In order to strengthen this position and the admonishment the apostle Paul gave to these dear saints he would go on to ask what fellowship righteousness had with unrighteousness. Moreover the apostle Paul would go on to ask what communion light had with darkness and what concord Christ had with Belial? The apostle Paul didn’t merely stop there for he would go on to ask what part he who believes has with an infidel and what agreement the temple of God has with idols.

 

            As you continue reading the words which the apostle Paul wrote in the sixth chapter you will find him echoing something he had previously written in the first epistle unto these same saints. In the sixteenth verse of the sixth chapter the apostle Paul declared that the Corinthian saints—and not just the Corinthian saints but all those who call upon the name of the Lord with sincere and true hearts—were the temple of the living God. If you turn and direct your attention to the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto these Corinthian saints you will find in both the third and sixth chapters the apostle writing and speaking concerning the saints of God being the temple of God and a dwelling place whereby he might make his abode and habitation. Beginning with the sixteenth verse of the third chapter of the first epistle written unto the Corinthian saints the apostle Paul asked these saints if they knew that they were the temple of God. What’s more is the apostle Paul didn’t merely ask them if they knew they were the temple of God but also that the Spirit of God dwelt in them. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for when the apostle Paul was writing these words the physical Temple still stood upon the Temple Mount. At the time the apostle Paul wrote this epistle the Temple which stood upon the Temple Mount had not been destroyed and would still be a place of worship whereby the nations of the earth could gather together unto Jerusalem to worship before the one true and living God.

 

            If there is one thing that makes this concept of the saints of God and believers in Christ the temple of God so intriguing when you take the time to think about it it’s that the apostle Paul wrote these words while a physical Jewish temple still stood upon the earth. What’s more is Jesus Himself alluded to the physical body as being a temple when while speaking unto the religious Jews in Jerusalem after cleansing the Temple He would declare unto them that if they destroyed this temple He would raise it up in three days. The Jews who heard these words spoken by the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God were perplexed and confused by the words which Jesus had spoken and proceeded to declare unto Him that the temple took forty and six years to build and asked Him if He intended on rebuilding it again in three days. The apostle John writes and records for us that the Jews did not know nor did they understand that the temple Christ was referring to was the physical temple of His body which not only housed the divine nature but also housed the very Spirit of the living God who descended upon Him at the waters of the Jordan River. The words which Jesus spoke unto the Jews suggests and reveals the incredible reality that we as His followers and we to whom He has given power to become sons of God are indeed temples—and not temples unto ourselves but a collective temple of the living and eternal God. There is a great need for us as the saints of God to recognize that we are indeed temples of the living God as individuals but collectively we are a corporate temple of the living God. What’s more is that as this temple of God the very Spirit of God dwells in us. If we name the name of the Lord Jesus and if we believe on Him then not only does God dwell within us but so also does the Spirit of the living God dwell within us.

 

            Upon continuing to read the words which are found in the third chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints you will find the apostle going on to declare that if any man defiles the temple of God that man would God destroy for the temple of God is holy which temple they were. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for not only does the apostle Paul describe and declare that we are the temple of God but he also declares that the Spirit of God dwells within us. Because we are the temple of God and because the Spirit of God dwells within us the temple is in and of itself being sanctified and consecrated by the Spirit, the glory and the presence of the living God. This is something which is witnessed in the Old Testament Tabernacle of Moses which was erected in the wilderness as the glory of the living God filled the Tabernacle upon its completion under the leadership of Moses. Moreover this is something which is witnessed during the days of Solomon after the Temple was built upon the Temple Mount in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. After the Temple was completed Solomon would proceed to dedicate the temple unto the Lord through worship and through sacrifices and offerings which were offered upon the altar. There on the Temple Mount in perhaps the very same place where David experienced the fire and glory of the living God Solomon, the Levites, the priests and all the children of Israel would experience the glory of the living God filling the Temple and the fire of God coming down from heaven and consuming the offerings which were offered upon the altar. IN order to understand how the temple of God which we are is indeed consecrated and holy before and in the sight of the living God I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the Old Testament book of Exodus as well as the Old Testament book of Second Chronicles. Consider if you will the following words which are found in each of these passages of Scripture concerning the Tabernacle and Temple of the living God:

 

            “And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was rewarded up. And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars. And he spread aboard the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses. And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the stables on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark: and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the cove ring, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses. And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail. And he sat the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses. And he put the candlesticks in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward. And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses. And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail: and he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses. And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle. And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses. And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal. And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet threat: when they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses. And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: but if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys” (Exodus 40:17-38).

 

            “And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (Fo0r all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in whine linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets) It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God” (2 Chronicles 5:11-14).

 

            “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever” (2 Chronicles 7:1-3).

 

            It is absolutely necessary we recognize and understand the significance of these two Old Testament passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the glory of God and the fire of God in direct connection to the temple and the tabernacle. If you read the words which are found in the Old Testament books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy you will find that not only did the glory of the living God fill the tabernacle after Moses reared it up according to the command of the LORD but the fire of the living God came down from heaven upon the altar and consumed the sacrifices which were upon it. In the case of the Tabernacle of Moses—not only did the glory fill the house and sanctuary but the fire of God came down from heaven upon the altar and consumed the sacrifices which were upon the altar. A similar manifestation of the glory and fire of God occurred during the days of Solomon after the Temple was built upon the Temple Mount—in the very same place where Abraham offered up Isaac as a sacrifice unto the LORD and in the same place where David built an altar to offer a sacrifice before the LORD. In the case of Abraham the living God would provide a ram caught in the thickets by its horn as a substitute to sacrifice upon the altar whereas in the case of David the fire of the living God came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice offered upon the altar. It was in this same place the Temple of the living God was built and where the fire of God came down from heaven upon the altar and where the glory of the living God would fill the Temple—so much so that not even the priests or Levites could enter into the Temple to carry out their duties and responsibilities before the LORD.

 

            If you turn and direct your attention to the sixth chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints you will find him first appealing unto them concerning their bodies that they were the members of Christ. The apostle Paul then goes on to ask if he ought to take the members of Christ and make them the members of an harlot. He goes on to ask if the Corinthians knew that whatever is joined to a harlot is one body for two would become one flesh. The apostle Paul goes on to declare that those who are joined unto the LORD is one spirit and then instructs them to flee fornication. This is immediately followed by the apostle Paul declaring that every sin which a man does is without the body but he which commits fornication sins against his own body. It would be based upon this statement the apostle Paul goes on to ask them if they did not know that their body was the temple of the Holy Ghost which was in them which they had of God and they were not their own. This would be immediately followed by the apostle Paul declaring unto the Corinthian saints that they were bought with a price and they needed to glorify God in their body in their spirit which were God’s. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for if there were two main and underlying charges which are found within these two epistles written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints it was to flee fornication and flee idolatry. In all reality I am convinced that two of the greatest—if not the greatest challenges we as the body of Christ which are the temple of God face is the need to flee from idolatry and flee from fornication. IN this generation in which we are living I am absolutely convinced that there is a great need for us to flee from fornication with the same resolve that Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife when she tried seducing him over and over again. Eventually he fled from her presence after she laid her hand upon his coat and left her standing their with his coat in her hand. We need to flee from idolatry with the same resolve that Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael refused to bow down and worship the golden image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon in the land of the Chaldeans.

 

            IN the sixth chapter of the second epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints we find him instructing these believers to not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. The apostle Paul would go on to present them with the promise which the living God promised unto them through His servant Jeremiah. What’s more is I would dare say we must also appeal to the words which the living and eternal God promised through His servant Ezekiel in the land of the Chaldeans after many within the southern kingdom of Judah were taken captive into the land of the Chaldeans. Within the final verses of the sixth chapter of this second epistle written unto the Corinthian saints the apostle Paul appealed to the words which Jeremiah had prophesied unto their fathers living in the land of the Chaldeans and delivering unto them the promise of God to dwell in them and walk in them. What’s more is the apostle Paul would also appeal unto the words which the prophet Jeremiah prophesied and how the living God promised to be their God and they would be His people. Because of these promises the apostle Paul would admonish them to come out from among them and be separate—and not only come out from among them but touch not the unclean thing and He would receive them, and He would be a Father unto them and they would be His sons and daughters. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the Old Testament prophetic books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel concerning these promises given by the LORD through His servants the prophets:

 

            “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: For they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

 

            “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you amen heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleanness: and I will also save you from all your uncleanness: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the LORD God, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Thus saith the LORD God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builder. And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it. Thus saith the LORD God; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them: I will increase them with men like a flock. As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 36:25-38).

 

            When the apostle Paul writes and speaks of “these promises” he is appealing to that which we find in the sixth chapter. The promises the apostle Paul is speaking of and referring to are the promises that the living and eternal God would dwell in His saints and walk in them. Moreover the promises the apostle Paul was appealing to were the promises that God would be their God and they would be His people. In addition to this there was also the promise that God would be a father unto them and they would be His sons and daughters. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand, however, is that directly in between these promises is a charge and a command given unto the saints. It was indeed true that God would dwell in them and walk in them and be their God, however, they must determine and purpose to come out from among them and be separate. Not only this but they must also not touch the unclean thing and He would receive them. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for while it is indeed true the apostle Paul emphatically declared unto the Corinthian saints that God would dwell in them, and walk in them and would be their God they needed to come out from among them and be separate. It is this concept of separation and making a conscious and deliberate decision to keep oneself from touching the unclean thing that would position them for God to be their Father and they to be His sons and daughters. This reality is demonstrated for us in great measure in the seventh chapter of the Old Testament book of Joshua where we find one from among the children of Israel not only touching the unclean and accursed thing but also laying hold of it, bringing it into his tent and hiding it from the camp of the children of Israel. If you want to truly consider what this reality of touching not the unclean thing looks like I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the seventh chapter of the Old Testament book of Joshua:

 

            “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. And they returned to Joshua and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water” (Joshua 7:1-5).

 

            “And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. And Joshua said, Alas, O LORD God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O LORD, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy grate name? And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore livest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you. IN the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man. And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel” (Joshua 7:6-15).

 

           

“So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken: and he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought e family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken: and he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken. And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD. And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and thy brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? The LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor unto this day” (Joshua 7:16-26).

 

            All of this is incredibly important for in the first verse of the seventh chapter the apostle Paul appeals to the promises which he mentioned in the sixth chapter. The apostle Paul would appeal unto the Corinthian saints to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit as they perfected holiness in the fear of God. If you continue reading in the seventh chapter of this epistle you will find the apostle Paul entreating them to receive them for they had wronged no man, had corrupted no man and had defrauded no man. The apostle Paul goes on to to describe that the Corinthian saints were in their hearts to die and live with them and great was his boldness of speech toward them and great also was his glorying of them. What we must needs recognize and understand when reading the words of the apostle Paul within this epistle for the apostle Paul was incredibly candid about the struggles and conflicts he faced as he labored for the word, the name and the gospel of the Lord Jesus. In fact I would dare say that much of this epistle describes in great detail the personal struggles and conflicts the apostle Paul faced as he labored for the sake of the kingdom within the earth. It is absolutely impossible to read the words presented in this epistle and not encounter and come face to face with the tremendous struggles the apostle Paul faced in this life as he would suffer great affliction, great suffering and great persecution. This second epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints is indeed a detailed description of many of those things which he faced in this life—and not only the many trials, troubles, tribulations and the like which he faced but how the living and eternal God brought him through it all.

 

            If you begin reading with and from the first chapter of this second epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints you will find the apostle beginning to describe the trials, the troubles and tribulations he faced in this world. Beginning with the third verse of the first chapter the apostle Paul exclaims concerning God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of mercies and the God all comfort who comforted them in all their tribulation. The purpose of this comfort was that they would be able to comfort those which were in any trouble by the comfort wherewith they themselves were comforted of God. Almost immediately and right off the bat the apostle Paul speaks of the mercies of God and the comfort of the living God in the midst of all tribulation we as the saints of God face in this life. We must needs remember the apostle Paul declared that all who would live godly in this life would suffer persecution and that we must through many trials and troubles enter into the kingdom of heaven. IN the first chapter of this epistle the apostle Paul speaks of the comfort of God in all our tribulation that we might be able to comfort those who themselves are in any trouble by the same comfort we ourselves received and were comforted by the living God. This would be followed by the apostle Paul declaring that as the sufferings of Christ abounded in them so also their consolation also abounded by Christ.

 

            The more you read the words which are found in this epistle the more you will encounter and be brought face to face with the struggles, the conflicts and that which the apostle Paul and his companions faced in this life. I have previously written that the apostle Paul was groomed, shaped, transformed, molded and even changed by the suffering, the affliction and the persecution he faced. If there is one thing we must needs recognize concerning the apostle Paul it’s that he never lived his life absent the expectation and anticipation of suffering, affliction and persecution in this life. Even before the apostle Paul would begin preaching that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of the living God it was revealed unto Ananias those things which the apostle Paul must suffer for the sake of the word and name of the Lord Jesus. What we must needs recognize and realize concerning the apostle Paul is that he walked with and followed the Lord Jesus knowing what great and what many things he would suffer for the sake of the word and name of the Lord Jesus. The apostle Paul would preach the word and name of the Lord Jesus among the Jews and Gentiles knowing that such preaching would mean intense suffering and persecution. In fact if you read the New Testament book of Acts you will find that from the time the apostle Paul preached the word and name of Jesus in Damascus through his final journey unto the city of Jerusalem he would suffer much persecution. Most of the persecution the apostle Paul faced and experienced would be at the hands of his own countrymen the Jews while there were other times when he would find himself facing persecution at the hands of the Gentiles. It would be in Philippi and Ephesus the apostle Paul would suffer persecution and affliction at the hands of the Gentiles as in Philippi he and Silas would be beaten and imprisoned before they would be miraculously delivered in the midnight hour by the power of the living God who caused the prison to shake, the prison doors to be opened and every man’s shackles and chains to be loosed. It would be in Ephesus the apostle Paul would find the whole city stirred to the point of insurrection because of the words of Demetrius who was a silversmith whose occupation was making shrines unto Diana who was the pagan god of that city.

 

            I sit here and read the words which are found in this second epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints and I am brought face to face with the absolutely astonishing reality surrounding the tremendous affliction, suffering and persecution he experienced in this life. What’s more is that more often than not those who accompanied and traveled with him would find themselves experiencing the same persecution, suffering and affliction themselves. It is absolutely impossible to read the words which are found in this second epistle written by the apostle Paul and not encounter and come face to face with the tremendous truth surrounding the conflict(s) and struggle(s) the apostle Paul faced in this life. What’s more is the apostle Paul was neither ashamed not deterred by any of those things which he faced in this life and even wore them as a badge of honor. Much like the apostles who rejoiced after they were beaten and imprisoned by the religious and political leaders of Israel in Jerusalem because they were counted worthy to suffer with and for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ so also the apostle Paul considered it an honor to suffer with and for the Lord Jesus Christ. It is this particular reality we must needs ask ourselves as those who name the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and claim to walk with and follow Him. It was the Lord Jesus Christ who declared that in this world we would have much tribulation but to not fear for He had overcome the world. It was the Lord Jesus Christ who prepared and made ready His disciples—not to be loved, to be welcomed, to be embraced and to be received by those to whom they were sent but rather to be hated, despised and rejected. Moreover Jesus prepared His disciples to be put out of the synagogues, to be brought before governors and kings and even to be killed. Jesus would even go so far as to declare that those who killed them would do so believing they were doing a service unto the living and eternal God.

 

            Oh there is something incredibly intriguing and captivating about the words which we find in the second epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints for within this epistle we find the apostle highlighting his struggles walking with and following the Lord Jesus Christ. In virtually every chapter of this epistle the apostle Paul seems to speak of the tremendous and inherent struggles and conflicts he faced for the sake of the word, the gospel and the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. What’s more is that it was when writing unto the saints which were at Rome the apostle Paul emphatically exclaimed that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it was the power of God unto salvation—to the Jews first and to the Gentiles secondly. The apostle Paul recognized and understood that walking with and following the Lord Jesus would indeed mean suffering, affliction and persecution in this life for all who would live godly in this life would indeed suffer persecution and affliction in this life. This is something we must needs understand for if Jesus didn’t prepare his disciples to be loved, welcomed, embraced and received what makes us think that we are somehow exempt and immune from the same type of discipleship? What we must recognize is that the cross was a symbol of discipleship before it was ever the instrument of the suffering, the torture and the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Twice in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew—first in the tenth chapter and again in the sixteenth chapter—Jesus speaks of the cross and speaks of it as the instrument of discipleship. What we must needs recognize is the cross is more than simply a golden emblem we have on a chain which we wear around our necks. The cross is indeed the mark of true discipleship and those who would walk with and follow Christ must deny themselves and take up their cross. Not only this but Jesus Himself emphatically declared that those who did not take up their cross were not worthy of Him.

 

            I sit here today thinking about the words which the apostle Paul wrote in this epistle and how while it might seem like he spoke of those things he suffered in this life were his complaining and even murmuring against the LORD we must recognize that in no way did the apostle Paul ever complain about those things which he suffered. The apostle Paul was more than willing to face and endure any amount of hardship and suffering in this life and was willing to be poured out as a drink offering before and in the sight of the living God. In fact I would like to call and draw your attention to the following words which the apostle Paul wrote or spoke as they are presented in the New Testament book of Acts, the epistle written unto the Philippian saints and even within the epistle(s) written unto Timothy who was his spiritual son in the faith:

 

            “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-22).

 

            “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:22-24).

 

            “And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them on Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciples, with whom we should lodge” (Acts 21:10-16).

 

            “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dumb, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,a nd the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:7-14).

 

            “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:1-9).

 

            “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:10-13).

 

            “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yeah, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Timothy 3:10-14).

 

            “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

 

            Pay close attention to the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for within them we encounter the tremendous truth. Surrounding the apostle Paul and his willingness to suffer all things for the sake of the word, the gospel and the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is absolutely unmistakable and undeniable when reading the words found in these passages of Scripture that the apostle Paul was not ready, willing and even able to endure all things for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. What’s more is the apostle Paul was not one who was surprised, nor even caught off guard when suffering, affliction, and persecution rose up against him. In all reality I would dare say the apostle Paul expected and even anticipated it. This is perhaps evidenced in great measure when the apostle Paul was speaking unto the elders of the Ephesian church and declared that he went up to Jerusalem bound by the Spirit not knowing what would befall him there save that the Holy Spirit bore witness unto him that bonds and afflictions abound him in every city. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for when we think about and consider the life of the apostle Paul we must recognize the apostle was one who lived his life for one single ambition and one single goal—that he might honor and glorify the living and eternal God with his life and with his physical body. The apostle Paul viewed his physical body as a sacrifice and offering which he could offer unto and before the Lord Jesus Christ for His purposes and that which He would accomplish. This is perhaps why he admonished the saints which were at Rome to present their bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable in the sight of the living God. The apostle Paul realized that his physical body was but an offering he presented before and unto the Lord and allowed the Lord to do with it whatever He desired—even if it meant suffering, persecution and affliction. With this in mind I invite you to consider the words the apostle Paul wrote in this epistle concerning those things which he suffered in the flesh in this life for the sake of the word, the gospel and the name of the Lord Jesus:

 

            “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble, which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch t hat we despaired even of life: but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf” (2 Corinthians 1:8-11).

 

            “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: to the one we are the savour of death unto death: and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).

 

            “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled in every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;; knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but of a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:7-18).

 

            “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted Tim; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offense in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; buy pure ness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honour and dishonour, by devil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; as unkown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Corinthians 6:1-10).

 

            “Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had not rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforter those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more” (2 Corinthians 7:2-7).

 

            “Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in the presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: but I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I man present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:1-6).

 

            “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I man not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: and though a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands” (2 Corinthians 11:23-33).

 

            “For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:5-10).

 

As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to remind you of all these words which the apostle Paul spoke for not only was he willing to speak freely about his struggles and conflicts but he was also willing to boast of them. The apostle Paul had absolutely no issue with speaking freely about those things which he suffered in this life knowing that those things which he suffered were for the sake of those to whom he ministered. What we must needs recognize and understand is there is something to be said about receiving the gospel in much affliction, suffering and persecution as opposed to receiving it in comfort, ease, peace and the like. I am absolutely convinced that those who hear and receive the gospel in much affliction, suffering and persecution are those who truly recognize what it means to walk with and follow the Lord Jesus for they know that in this life all who would live godly in Christ Jesus would suffer tribulation, trials and troubles. I firmly believe that we as those who name the name of Jesus Christ must recognize that we have indeed been called to live godly in Christ Jesus and that as a direct result of this we can and should expect suffer and persecution. The apostle Paul emphatically declared that we must through many trials and tribulations enter into the kingdom of heaven and it is a great tragedy when men and women who profess to walk with and follow the Lord Jesus Christ seek to do so while simultaneously avoiding suffering, persecution and affliction. Oh that there would be men and women in this life who are indeed willing to present their bodies as living sacrifices which are holy and acceptable in the sight of the living God and who are willing to endure hardship and suffering as good soldiers in Christ Jesus. Oh that we would be men and women who recognize and understand that we cannot and should not seek to somehow avoid suffering and affliction in this life and that we would instead ready and prepare ourselves for the days ahead in which we are about to walk through.