Friday, January 27, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading

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January 27, 2023
Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10

So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. (NRSV)

Reflection

I didn’t expect to get teary when sitting down to write this devotion, but in reading this passage aloud to myself to see what word or phrase may speak to me, I couldn’t help but get a little emotional when reading, “We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way,” as I reflect on the importance of community and a servant mindset.

When tragedy compounds tragedy within my personal life, within my work, within my book club group, within my city, within my country, and within the world, it becomes challenging for me to have this “great endurance” that Paul mentions. If I am to be an ambassador for Christ, I must remember that I do not do this alone—I am part of this servant ministry, this community that strives to place no obstacles in anyone’s way to God’s abundant grace. And we are accompanied in this ambassadorship for Christ by Christ. Sent by God to become truly human so that we may be reconciled to God. What amazing grace that is indeed.

Prayer

God, I thank you for your abundant grace and for the gift of community. When times are difficult, may I always remember that I am never alone. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Written by Katrina Buchanan, Editorial Associate

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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