II Corinthians

Fight Back

April 15, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

As countries around the world face great upheaval, we must remember the weapons of our warfare look nothing like those of the world (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Where I live, righteous indignation often results in violence begetting violence. Christians are angry and want to fight back against the forces coming against them. It’s understandable and natural. But it is natural only in the context of the old self we put away when we gave our lives to Jesus (Ephesians 4:22-23).

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Our new nature looks like Jesus (Ephesians 4:24), so we now must fight back in the way He modeled for us. We fight back by immersing ourselves in the Word of God, praying for our enemies, and loving everyone as ourselves. It all seems counter-intuitive, but this is what Jesus taught us to do.

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The End of Nominal Christianity

January 11, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

As we watch the moral decline of Western society and the growing indifference or outright hostility toward followers of Jesus, one bright spot in all of this is the end of nominal Christianity. For years, many in the West have been Christ-followers in name only. These are people who like the idea of Jesus, but not the surrender of their lives to Him.

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They go to church every weekend and proudly profess their faith in Jesus, particularly when it is socially expedient. There is a certain panache to being able to claim the moral high ground by proclamation of one’s faith. But surrender their lifestyle to live according to the commands of Jesus and the Bible? Well, that always seems to fall into some sort of “gray area” for these so-called and nominal Christians.

Taking the Long View

November 19, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

Joshua Bogunjoko is the International Director for SIM International, a missionary organization with a worldwide outreach. Given his position, he has a unique and informed perspective on what it means to follow Christ in hard times and circumstances. Mr. Bogunjoko writes, “Gaining God’s perspective amid adversity means taking the long view. Our experience of adversity today may be for the work of God in days, months, and years to come. It may be for someone’s encouragement a generation from now.”

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It often seems the work we do for Jesus doesn’t matter. No matter how much we pray, study, and serve, it’s difficult to see the needle moving. But God is always at work, weaving together every event on the human stage—now, in the past, and in the future—to bring about His sovereign will.

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We’re Not Home

November 16, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

As we go about our lives, it’s easy to forget we’re not home. If you have accepted the fact Jesus is Lord of your life, the place you live is not your home. We are here for only a little while, and then we can finally go home (2 Corinthians 4:17). If you’re discouraged by the events of this life, know whatever you are going through is temporary. It will not last forever.

For followers of Jesus, we know His love is on the other side of our pain. Sometimes we get so caught up in this present world, we forget we’re not home. We live as if this is all there is, but all this is more temporary than any of us could imagine. The purpose of this life is to prepare us for the next.

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What Are You Thinking About?

July 27, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

In Philippians 4:8, the apostle Paul instructs us to think about things that are true, honorable, pure, just, lovely, commendable, worthy of praise, and of moral excellence. What are you thinking about? Does it match up well with the list Paul gave us above? If it does, you are doing better than I am. If we’re being honest, most of the thoughts we have are about ourselves: our comfort, pleasure, entertainment, and safety. These are hardly noble thoughts.

To be self-serving is the opposite of behaving honorably. Selfishness stands in direct opposition to every item on that list. Selfishness is the natural offshoot of pride, and prideful people have no place in the Kingdom of God. Consider where all the prideful angels are today. Their fall is a warning beacon for each of us.