"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FROM A PRAYER OF THE APOSTLE PAUL"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FROM A PRAYER OF THE APOSTLE PAUL"

2nd Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

(Taken from today's reading in the One Year Bible, Sept 13th, 2014)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions, and a prayer:

Paul spent many chapters in this 2nd letter to the Corinthian Church, in which he deal with a vast amount of very important issues.
But after all the issues were dealt with, he closed out his letter as he and the other apostles often would do, with a sort of prayer, or a benediction. We might tend to just read and rush through these, but upon a slower and closer look, we find they are rich with truth, and most of the time are also rich with instruction and encouragement. I believe such is the case here. May this be a blessing to your soul today.

1. Believers can farewell.

2nd Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Farewell here, means to rejoice, to be glad. To be joyful.
It's as if Paul was simply pointing them in a direction that they ought to go in, and in a direction that God would want them to go in, and live in, and that is in peace.

We not only have peace with God, but we can, as believers, enjoy the peace of God.

Php 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Col 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

2. Believers can become complete.

2nd Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Here Paul speaks of becoming complete. The word means to get ready, to prepare, to be equipped, fully trained.
All of the above meanings are very basic to a healthy normal Christian life.
Jesus often spoke this way, and so did the other apostles. Paul, Peter, and John.

Luke 12:40 “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

2nd Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.”

1st Peter 4:7 “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”

Revelations 3:2 “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.”

3. Believers can be of good comfort.

2nd Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

This is lovely and needed. Be of good comfort. How we need comfort in this life and world. And, we can be of good comfort.
God is the God of all comfort.
He comforts His people.

Comfort means encourage.
So, he is saying, be encouraged.
If you were to take a moment and think of why you should be encouraged, I'm certain you would find many, many answers.

4. Believers ought to be of and can be of one mind.

2nd Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Believers do not have to live in division and dispute. We can, and ought to live in peace, and in harmony.
The choice is ours.
We can make the choice that leads to this harmony.
It's the choice of our hearts.

Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Php 2:2 “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

1st Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;”

5. Believers can live in peace.

2nd Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

It would seem that this part of the verse is actually the fruit of all that was said before this part of the verse.
In other words when believers choose to live in the ways described above, the outcome is peace.

Php 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Col 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

6. Believers can expect the God of love and peace to be with them.

2nd Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

This is such a beautiful truth and promise to believers.
It's as mentioned above.
It's not just a prayer.
It's what God promises to do for and with His people.
And, it was Paul's desire for the Corinthians.
It's God desire for you also this very day.

The God of love and peace be with you.

Some Questions:

1. Isn't it good to know that you are one of the "Brethren”? You are a believer, a born again child of God.

2. And, isn't it a blessing to know that God has all of these blessing for His children?

3. When you look over this verse, is there a particular part or point that you say, "I really need that today”?

4. Do you believe that God will give these to you?

5. Will you believe God to respond to Him in whatever way He is directing you to do this day?

A Prayer:

Father, it's amazing to me how much truth and teaching can be included in just one verse. Only You Lord can do such a thing.
Thank You for allowing us to see Your heart towards us in this verse.
And, thank You that these are truths that can be part of our lives day by day.
May it be so Lord, may it be so.
In Jesus’ name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.