DAY 69: A Radiant Power

Read: I Corinthians 6:1-20

Think: Paul is “virtually” pastoring the church in Corinth through this letter because he can’t be there in person. As you can tell, he has no trouble correcting them! And he doesn’t just cover spiritual concerns. In this chapter, Paul discusses the specific behaviors of Christians toward each other as it pertains to, for example, law suits. In addition, he lists a catalog of sins immersing the current culture. I found William Barclay’s commentary on I Corinthians 6 to be particularly inspiring, “Into this world, conscious of a tide of decadence that nothing could stop, there came a radiant power of Christianity, which was triumphantly able to make all things new.”

Act:  When we read Paul’s lists, we can get overwhelmed with the dominance of sin and forget there is a solution! Jesus! He came to earth to heal broken lives, recover what has been lost, and restore our intimacy with God. Those who have truly encountered Jesus—the One who heals broken hearts and minds and bodies—become humbly indebted to the One who died for them. His sacrifice leaves them in awe and something unexplainable happens. They no longer want to return to their old habits or fan the flame on their old desires. They want to live changed lives. They want freedom from their old ways. If you have been struggling to get above the culture, to leave old habits behind, or experience triumph over your old life, take the simple step of asking God to forgive you for any known sins in your life right now. Ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit, and to renew your thinking. Wait until you feel a flood of relief, a rush of joy and a wave of peace come over you. Thank God for His radiant power in your life!

Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins—past, present, and future. Renew my mind. Speak to me all day long. Warn me, guide me, speak truth into my heart. Oh I love and need more of You, Lord. Amen.

Be full of faith today!