2 Corinthians 6:1-13 - Working together with Him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

I wonder if Paul was embarrassed when he wrote this letter. I mean, our parents bring us up to be modest and not brag about ourselves. And here's Paul listing things that would make an angel blush!

But still, Paul writes it down—because the Corinthians need to hear it, and he will do anything, even die of embarrassment, to help them. All the stories of his past, good or bad, are raw material for teaching the young Christians Jesus has given him to care for. In fact, anything he has—experience, strength, health, life itself—he's willing to lay it down if it will do them any good. That's how much these baby Christians matter to him. He loves them.

And of course we all know where Paul got that attitude. He got it from Jesus, who gave everything He had to come and rescue us. Paul describes Jesus this way: "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11).

Nobody loves us like Jesus. And now that He has risen from the dead, He gives us the Holy Spirit so that the same love will live in us towards others.

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me. Make Your love shine through me to the good of the people around me. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Think of the person you love the most. What would you give to help them?

2. Would you be sorry to pay that cost? Why or why not?

3. How does Jesus feel about the cost He paid to save you?

Today's Bible Readings: Proverbs 25-26    Acts 4:23-37

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