2 Corinthians 1:21-22 But it is God Who confirms and makes us steadfast and establishes us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and has consecrated and anointed us [enduing us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit];
22 [He has also appropriated and acknowledged us as His by] putting His seal upon us and giving us His [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as the security deposit and guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise]. Amplified Bible (AMP)
22 [He has also appropriated and acknowledged us as His by] putting His seal upon us and giving us His [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as the security deposit and guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise]. Amplified Bible (AMP)
The other day I wrote that there are any number of things that can drag us down, illnesses, loss of loved ones, strained relationships but Jesus offers peace to us in, throughout, and out of those circumstances. Today's verse reveals that it is God who confirms us, establishes and makes our faith our hope steadfast in these circumstances. It is not in our strength, but he has "endued" us with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Paul describes four actions here. Establishing, an ongoing activity that roots us and strengthens us. In anointing us He sets us apart for a purpose. Anointing was commonly done by oil in the Old Testament, here we are "anointed" with the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. He confirms us and has put His seal upon us, He has declared us as His own children. The fourth action is that He gives, he keeps giving and giving us everything that we need. This includes the fellowship of believers in the church.
Reading and hearing that word "endued" in my mind brought me to the old hymn "The Church's One Foundation" particularly the second stanza.
Elect from every nation,
yet one o'er all the earth;
her charter of salvation,
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.
yet one o'er all the earth;
her charter of salvation,
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.
May we press on in hope.
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
2 Corinthians 1:20-22 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
20 For every one of God's promises is "Yes" in Him. Therefore, the "Amen" is also spoken through Him by us for God's glory. 21 Now it is God who strengthens us, with you, in Christ and has anointed us. 22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.
20 For every one of God's promises is "Yes" in Him. Therefore, the "Amen" is also spoken through Him by us for God's glory. 21 Now it is God who strengthens us, with you, in Christ and has anointed us. 22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.
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