Episode 2864 - Lesson 9 - Thursday August 27 - Triumph in Christ

Triumph in ChristRead 2 Corinthians 2:12-13. Where did Paul go after writing "the severe letter" to them? What did he do there?Paul's heart was uneasy while waiting for Titus (2 Cor. 7:5-6). Despite that uneasiness, he couldn't stop talking about Jesus (2 Cor. 2:12). He loved Jesus so much. At that point, he didn't yet know the results of his letter. He was anxious to see Titus and hear about the reaction of the Corinthians.The work of Paul at Troas was successful, but "he could not remain there long. 'The care of all the churches,' and particularly of the church at Corinth, rested heavily on his heart. He had hoped to meet Titus at Troas and to learn from him how the words of counsel and reproof sent to the Corinthian brethren had been received, but in this he was disappointed. 'I had no rest in my spirit,' he wrote concerning this experience, 'because I found not Titus my brother.' He therefore left Troas and crossed over to Macedonia, where, at Philippi he met Timothy."--Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 323.Read 2 Corinthians 2:14-17. What was Paul's reaction upon meeting Titus in Macedonia and hearing about the positive response of the Corinthians?In a burst of joy, Paul affirms that God "always leads us in triumph in Christ" (2 Cor. 2:14, NKJV). What a marvelous statement! A heart filled with the presence of Christ spreads "the fragrance of His knowledge in every place" (2 Cor. 2:14, NKJV).Paul rejoices in Christ because the painful letter bore the fruit he intended to harvest (2 Cor. 7:5-9). This is a great victory. Meanwhile, in 2 Corinthians 2:17, Paul reaffirms his sincerity as an apostle of Christ (2 Cor. 2:17, 2 Cor. 1:12). According to this passage, what distinguishes a faithful servant of Christ from a false minister is that while the latter peddles the gospel for self-interest, the former preaches the Word of God in wholehearted love for Christ.What motivates you in all that you do, especially when you do it in the name of Jesus?