Study Desk

I call on God to look into my heart. The reason I did not come to the city of Corinth was because I did not want my strong words to hurt you.

We thank God for the power Christ has given us. He leads us and makes us win in everything. He speaks through us wherever we go. The Good News is like a sweet smell to those who hear it.

We are a sweet smell of Christ that reaches up to God. It reaches out to those who are being saved from the punishment of sin and to those who are still lost in sin.

We are not like others. They preach God's Word to make money. We are men of truth and have been sent by God. We speak God's Word with Christ's power. All the time God sees us.

You are as a letter from Christ written by us. You are not written as other letters are written with ink, or on pieces of stone. You are written in human hearts by the Spirit of the living God.

We can say these things because of our faith in God through Christ.

We know we are not able in ourselves to do any of this work. God makes us able to do these things.

God is the One Who made us preachers of a New Way of Worship. This New Way of Worship is not of the Law. It is of the Holy Spirit. The Law brings death, but the Holy Spirit gives life.

If the Law of Moses, that leads to death, came in shining-greatness, how much greater and brighter is the light that makes us right with God?

We have put away all things that are done in secret and in shame. We do not play with the Word of God or use it in a false way. Because we are telling the truth, we want men's hearts to listen to us. God knows our desires.

The eyes of those who do not believe are made blind by Satan who is the god of this world. He does not want the light of the Good News to shine in their hearts. This Good News shines as the shining-greatness of Christ. Christ is as God is.

It was God Who said, "The light will shine in darkness." He is the One Who made His light shine in our hearts. This brings us the light of knowing God's shining-greatness which is seen in Christ's face.

We have this light from God in our human bodies. This shows that the power is from God. It is not from ourselves.

We know that God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. He will raise us up also. God will take us to Himself and He will take you.

These things happened for your good. As more people receive God's favor, they will give thanks for the shining-greatness of God.

The little troubles we suffer now for a short time are making us ready for the great things God is going to give us forever.

Our body is like a house we live in here on earth. When it is destroyed, we know that God has another body for us in heaven. The new one will not be made by human hands as a house is made. This body will last forever.

It is God Who has made us ready for this change. He has given us His Spirit to show us what He has for us.

Because of this, we know the fear of God. So we try to get men to put their trust in Christ. God knows us. I hope that your hearts know me well also.

Are we crazy to talk like this? It is all because of what God has done. If we are using our minds well, it is for you.