I have a hard time going through these 2 chapters, took me almost 5 days of reading again and again. Repeatingly asking the Holy Spirit to teach me and guide me before moving on to the later chapters.
2 Cor 3:2-3
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
The ministry of God, the church of God is not something that can be done by platforms, programs of in any form of organization. But however, till today, like the world, we often fall into the trap of developing structure, rules, guidelines and education. And we always miss the point. Transformation can only be done and enabled by the Holy Spirit for it is by the Spirit that lives can be changed. In today's world, many people are trapped by the law, even Christians. The law they so depend on brings death. But those who are lead by the Spirit receives life.
In Moses time, people followed the tablets of stone which they couldn't fulfill and they died. By now we keep dying with Jesus as we live, that He is revealed in us through our life. Where our life is the very evident of the letter written in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. So if I am not living out the life of Christ, it only means that i have not die to myself with Jesus at all. Than there is no room for Spiritual parenting at all.
And Spiritual parenting is this, is carrying the letter of Christ in our hearts and life. That the next generation of Christians can see in us, thus following our examples as disciple of Jesus. We need to understand that as Christians, we are Jesus representatives. As mentors, we are Jesus to them. To guide them and leading them into maturity in Christ.
I don't think we need to be strong that we can be used by God. But rather in our weakness where God is revealed through His mighty work that people see God, thus believing and trusting God in their own lives.
Pointers of Spiritual Parenting
- It is not a platform or program, it is a life imparting ministry. Godly principles, values etc
- No one grows effectively without a mentor and guidance.
- People needs to be disciple and grow to maturity. And much attention is required until maturity stage.
- Mentoring is representing Jesus himself, absolutely important.
- The love and grace of God must be evident in the mentors life.
- Young believers cannot know and hear God by themselves, they need help and guidance.
- Investment in spiritual lives is worth all the trouble and pain and time.
- Is like a father taking care of a son, like a mother giving attention to a baby.
- Like the world, children without parents are often handicap and lost.
- When leaders of the church do not disciple Christians themselves, the church is malfunction already.
2 Cor 4
Therefore, as disciple of Christ, we renounced secret and shameful ways, to death of our past that is dead. Now we only share and proclaim Christ Jesus as it is without blemish before God himself. We do what we do for Jesus sake, and is made to suffering with Jesus, that others may benefit.
We speak by what we believe, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, and by the power of transformation done in our lives by the Holy Spirit. And that is true life that people need, and it is only by the grace of God. And because of this life, people can benefit and give thanks. The life of God spreads, and sin also spreads and destroy lives.
As Paul has written, the troubles and pain we go through for Christ is totally worth it. The rewards in heaven are way beyond what we know. We may need to invest a lot of time, effort, struggle and hard aches, that is what ministry is all about.
(Memory Verse)
2 Cor 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we do not fixed our eyes on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
James 1:2-8
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.
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