2 Corinthians 2:5 - 3:6; Psalm 36

2 Corinthians 2:5-3:6
Apparently one of the men of the Corinthian church had been disciplined by the church. This church discipline had led him to repent of his sin. We're not told exactly who this was; it may have been the man practicing immorality (1 Cor. 5) or it may have been someone who caused divisions in the church. Now Paul is telling the people that it's time to forgive and comfort and love him (vv.7-8) so that Satan won't again get the upper hand. (v. 11)

Beginning in v. 14, Paul thanks God for the privilege of serving Him. "Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume." This is how believers would and should view the message of Jesus. I think this is a thought worth dwelling on. Our words to one another and really to everyone should be sweet and kind. I believe harsh, ugly talking is a quick way to ruin our testimonies. And we should never be like the hucksters who preach for personal profit. v. 17

Paul goes on to say that the people who have been converted are "letters of recommendation" for his ministry and the message of Jesus. "This 'letter' is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts." 2 Cor. 3:3  The tablets of stone refer to the written law of the Old Testament. It didn't have the power to save anyone, but the New Testament or New Covenant teaches us that at conversion (when a person trusts Christ), the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts. Thus we can live for God!

Paul then asserts that his qualifications come from God through Christ. "He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit." The law makes people recognize their sin, but only by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ can a person receive eternal life.

Psalm 36
Because the wicked have no fear of God, they do not restrain their desire to sin. We, however, should fear (respect) God and allow Him to keep us from sin. vv. 1-4

In contrast to the wicked people of the first 4 verses, in vv. 5-8, we see a picture of God.

• His unfailing love is as vast as the heavens.
• His faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
• His righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
• His justice is like the ocean depths.
• He cares for people.
• He even cares for animals!
• He protects us. "All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings." v. 7
• He meets the needs of the spiritually hungry and thirsty. "You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights." v. 8
• He leads us. "For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see." v. 9

As we look back over this list, think of this: Is anything more vast than the heavens? What's further than "beyond the clouds"? The mighty mountains are surely secure, and the ocean depths are the deepest thing we know. Could anything be safer than the shelter of His wings? We know there's no end to the abundance of His house or the river of "living water." (John 4:14)