Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

When we compare the New Covenant in Christ with the Old Covenant with Moses, there is a big difference. You might ask what are the differences? Well here the Apostle Paul, who was a Pharisee, is going to walk us through the differences with the Covenants, which were prophesied by the prophets of the Old Testament

As the prophet Jeremiah said “ I (God) will put the law on their minds and write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33) As the prophet Ezekiel said “ I (God) will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you” (Ezekiel 36:26) This is why Jesus said “You must be Born Again to see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3) In the New Covenant the Law of Christ is written on our hearts and the Holy Spirit lives inside of us!

As the Apostle Paul says “The letter of Christ, not written with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God” This is why you need to be Born Again, regenerated, because then you have the Law written in your heart, without the Holy Spirit, your just another Israelite wandering in the wilderness full of disobedience and left to your demise.

Not in tablets of stone but on tablets of the human heart! So what are the tablets of stone being referenced here? Of course it’s the Ten Commandments, the Law of God, in the New Covenant the Law is written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle John said “The Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ! (John 1:17) 

There are many today who are trying to Keep themselves under The Law, trying to earn their own salvation,  As the Apostle Paul said “For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the Law of Sin and Death” (Romans 8:2) The Law brings forth death, this is why there is only salvation through Jesus Christ alone. 

If you are Born Again, The Law of God is written on your heart, the Holy Spirit is living inside of you! We have been given a new heart , a new mind, and we are a new creature though Jesus Christ, Amen!

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:17

Today we are looking at one scripture, but this statement by Paul is so important we can’t just skip over it. Paul starts by saying “For We Are Not As Many” , now it’s very obvious even since the beginning of Christianity , there were already many wolves and false prophets selling a false gospel to make money, as Paul says there are many

This is a huge issue in Christianity today, as I believe the overwhelming majority of Christianity is filled with false teachers and unfortunately false converts. Christianity has become a Billion dollar business, all you have to do is turn on your TV to TBN and see these mega Pastors begging for money, while living in mansions and flying private jets. It’s absolutely disgusting that these wolves would trample on the blood of Christ to make money, and in the process deceive many on the broad road to Hell

Jesus warned this would happen, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in Sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15) Many of these wolves appear to be “real Christians” they say all the right things, they even use the name of Jesus, what did Jesus say “Many will say to Me, Lord Lord, Have we not prophesied in your Name, cast out demons in your Name, done many wonders in your name” (Matthew 7: 22)  But notice Jesus response to them “Depart from me, I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23)

Notice Paul says “They corrupt the Word of God” , these false prophets and false teachers will use the name of Jesus and twist scripture to fulfill their agenda, make money and a name for themselves. John the Baptist said “He (Christ) must increase, I (John) must decrease” ( John 3:30) John didn’t start a new ministry, name it after himself, build a huge building, living a luxurious life. No, John’s ministry was all about Jesus, he even died for Christ without anything left in his name

Paul goes on to say “But as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak before God in Christ” The word sincerity can also mean clearness and purity, with a clean conscience we preach the gospel of Christ. Now you might ask, how do we know who is fake and real? Go back to Jesus teaching in Matthew 7 “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16) The Apostle Paul gave his life (literally ) for Christ, beheaded at Rome, it puzzles me how anyone can call Paul a false teacher

Look at the false teachers of today, what fruit are they producing? Are they willing to give their life for Christ to promote the gospel and Kingdom? Most of them are in air conditioned buildings, having a steak dinner, in a 3 piece suit, you can clearly know them by their fruit

We don’t peddle the Word of God for profit or money, we share the gospel because it’s our higher calling by our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?  2 Corinthians 2:12-16

It’s interesting when we see the shadows from the Old Testament show up here in the New Testament. Whenever the Israelites offered God sacrifices or offerings , the aroma was pleasing to God, (Numbers 15:3) why? It’s because God is pleased with our heart towards him, to worship God in Spirit and Truth!

The Apostle Paul says here “For we are unto God a Sweet savour or aroma of Christ” Think about that, everything you do, ever act of worship or service to The Lord , is pleasing to God. As the Apostle Paul said “Present your bodies as a Living Sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) Live your life for Christ, in everything you do, be sanctified and led by the Holy Spirit, as His temple!

Not only are we a pleasing aroma to God but also to the Church, when you are around Born Again believers, doesn’t it just please your soul and re energize you? This is part of the Church , to fellowship with one another , to share our spiritual gifts with one another, to comfort one another. However the false convert gives off a worldy stench, as Jesus said they make him want to vomit them out of his mouth” (Revelation 3:16)

While we the Church are a pleasing aroma to God and others, we are the aroma of death to the world. Why? Because the real gospel exposes sin and its penalty, the real Jesus requires repentance and baptism of the Holy Spirit, the real Church is Born Again and follow the Word of God has their authority!

The world hates the real Jesus Christ of the Bible, the world hates the real gospel that is not watered down and sugar coated, the world hates the remnant of the real body of Christ! The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing! (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Continue to love and serve The Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul, you are a pleasing aroma to God, for the world you are the aroma of death, as Jesus said “they will hate you, because they have hated me first!” (John 15:18) Amen!

But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 2 Corinthians 2:1-8

The Church, the body of Christ, is a family not an organization. Like all real families, there are going to be conflicts and problems, the question is how will the Church respond to these problems? Many Christians have this unrealistic idea that there is a “perfect Church” , the perfect Church will never exist because the Church is the people, and people are not perfect.

With that said, the Apostle Paul is grieved and sorrowful over a member of the Church of Corinth, their conduct or behavior , but as Paul says here “that you might know the love which I have more abundantly for you” Many people view discipline as hateful, but as the Bible says “God loves those he disciplines” (Hebrews 12:6) Church discipline is for the love of the Church, and we as Christians should appreciate when someone points out something we are doing wrong, even though our flesh really hates it. Paul had great love for his brothers and sisters in Christ, however he love them enough to discipline them also

Notice the spiritual maturity of Paul then, he instructs the members to “forgive and comfort him” Once the member was disciplined , he was then forgiven. We can learn alot from this model Paul is demonstrating here, while we should discipline those in the Church , we should also be willing to forgive them also. Church discipline has become a foreign concept in today’s Church, as most leaders in the Church today don’t shepherd anyone, but as Paul warned “a little leaven (sin) leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:6) When we allow sin to run rampant in the Church, it eventually corrupts the entire Church body, which is what we see mostly today

For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:9-11

Notice Pauls warning, Satan will take advantage of these situations to bring more division within the body of Christ, we see this everyday! This is why we need to repent and forgive one another as mature brothers and sisters in Christ. As the Apostle Paul closes here “If there is anything to forgive, I have forgiven in the person of Christ”!

We forgive because Christ has forgiven us first, Amen!