[NIV] 12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testi-fies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, andespecially in our relations with you, with integrity andgodly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldlywisdom but on God‘s grace. - P54
A major purpose of Paul‘s letter is to deal with a handful of complaintsthat have been brought against him by the believers in Corinth. - P56
always seeking to center our lives
around the gospel and God‘s will for us. - P56
Put plainly, compassion is the act of showing concernand sympathy for others. As Psalm 86:15 states, "But you, Lord, areand gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in lovea compassionateand faithfulness." - P57
The compassion of God, and the
subsequent compassion He expects us to
show others, is revealed in the story of the prodigal son in Luke15. After squandering his portion of the family inheritance,
a way-ward son returns home in hopes
of being allowed back as a mereservant. To his surprise, the compassionate father embraces him andfully restores his honor as a beloved son. But that is not the full story.
In the background is the elder brother who resents his father‘s display of
compassion. So enraged is the elder brother that while speaking tohis father he can not even acknowledge his brother as a brother but only as this son of yours"
Blinded by his own self-righteousness, theelder brother cannot rejoice in his brother‘s redemption. - P57
As children of God, we must be committed to demonstrating the of God. - P57
Give me grace and wisdom to handle criticism when it comes. - P57
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