Day 193/260: Read 2 Corinthians 1

Several years ago, a novel called Pay It Forward was published and later made into a movie. The basic premise is to do a favor for someone, and instead of them “paying it back” by doing a favor for you, they “pay it forward” by helping others.

Does that sound like Christianity? The Father sent the Son to die on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. That is beyond our ability to repay, but we can “pay it forward” by telling others what He did, and how they can benefit from His sacrifice.

Paul says something similar about comfort in the first chapter of 2 Corinthians. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

The comfort that God provides when we struggle, we should be able to “pay it forward” by comforting others who are struggling. In so doing, we can influence others in a godly way, and perhaps lead them to the truth of the gospel.

We are comforted so that we may comfort others. We are won to Christ that we might win others. We are taught the truth that we might teach others. Pay it forward!

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

1 Corinthians 15:58. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ______________, immovable, always ______________ in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Pray

Pray for opportunities to show others the love of Christ.