Always been Yes | Est in illo

"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not ‘Yes’ and ‘No,’ but in him it has always been ‘Yes.’"- 2 Corinthians 1:19.

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The epistle of 2 Corinthians is one of the apostle Paul’s most personal and emotionally honest letters. Some Christians in Corinth preferred leaders who looked impressive, powerful and successful. The apostle Paul didn’t fit that exact description. He suffered, changed travel plans, worked with his hands, and spoke plainly. Hence the church began to wonder whether he was trustworthy or even truly sent by God. The letter of 2 Corinthians is Paul’s response. This letter is very unique because the apostle Paul talks openly about his anxiety and emotional pain, near-death experiences, disappointment with churches and even about his tears, fear, and weakness. Paul does not hide these things. Instead, Paul argues that they actually prove the truth of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 1:12).

In the first chapter of this letter, Paul reminds the church in Corinth that Jesus Christ is not an inconsistent message. Paul emphasizes that Jesus is divine, the Son of God, the Messiah. This is the foundation: whatever comes from Him is authoritative and reliable. We live in a world full of uncertainty and mixed messages, broken promises, changed plans, words that don’t hold truth. But the apostle Paul points us to a Saviour who is unchanging. Always the same. Jesus Christ is God’s Yes to sinners, Yes to the broken, Yes to reconciliation, Yes to salvation. That means our faith rests not on perfect leaders, perfect plans or perfect circumstances, but on a perfectly faithful Saviour.

The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is found in Jesus alone. As we read in the Gospel of John: John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Therefore, our Lord Jesus is God’s “Yes” to humanity’s need for salvation.

This matters because our faith is not built on sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 — “For we walk by faith, not by sight") . Every promise God has made—about grace, mercy, restoration, and hope—finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus is the living proof that God means what He says.

This Earthly life is very unstable and therefore we have to cling to this truth: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” - Hebrews 13:8. Let’s trust Him and live in the confidence of His unchanging faithfulness. 

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 1: 12-24 by Hanne

(Listen to podcast here)

Pengalaman Buruk

 

"Bahkan kami merasa, seolah-olah kami telah dijatuhi hukuman mati. Tetapi hal itu terjadi, supaya kami jangan menaruh kepercayaan pada diri kami sendiri, tetapi hanya kepada Allah yang membangkitkan orang-orang mati" - 2 Korintus 1: 9. 

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Bersyukur atas Pengalaman Buruk

Bacaan hari ini menggambarkan bagaimana Rasul Paulus bersyukur atas pengalaman buruk dan berat yang dialami. Ayat 9 menjelaskan bahwa pengalaman itu seperti dijatuhi hukuman mati. Sangat berat dirasakan. Tetapi Rasul Paulus tidak mengandalkan kekuatannya sendiri, tetapi dia berserah kepada Tuhan. 

Memang disaat kita menjalani proses yang sulit ini, ada begitu banyak tekanan dan beban yang menindih kita. Mempersalahkan diri sendiri dan orang lain atas apa yang telah terjadi, membuat kita kehilangan nafsu makan, sulit tidur, kesulitan berinteraksi dengan orang lain, dan menyebabkan stress. 

Tetapi sebagaimana Rasul Paulus, setelah melewati perjalanan yang begitu berat, Rasul Paulus mendapatkan kekuatan baru dan menghibur orang-orang yang sedang menjalani hal buruk dalam hidup mereka. Kita bisa memberikan penghiburan dan kekuatan kepada saudara-saudara kita karena kita memahami benar perjalanan yang mereka lalui, karena kita sudah melewatinya.  

Kita sebagai orang percaya dan beriman kepada Tuhan meyakini bahwa kita pasti bisa melewati pengalaman buruk ini jika kita berjalan bersama dengan Tuhan. Bahkan semua proses berat itu menjadikan kita lebih baik dari sebelumnya, dan mampu menguatkan dan menghibur saudara-saudara kita. 

Pengalaman buruk membuat kita bertumbuh, dan membuat kita tahan uji. Disaat inilah kita membuktikan iman yang kita miliki adalah iman yang sejati, sehingga ungkapan syukur akan kita sampaikan tidak hanya lewat mulut tapi lewat hati kita. 

Marilah kita selalu bersyukur dalam setiap keadaan hidup kita, diaat senang maupun sulit. Amin. 

Refleksi dari 2 Korintus 1: 1-11 oleh Meist. 

(Dengarkan podcastnya disini)

 

Not rely on ourselves | Fidentes in Deo

"Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." – 2 Corinthians 1:9

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Grateful for Bad Experiences

Today's reading describes how the Apostle Paul gave thanks even for the difficult and painful experiences he endured. Verse 9 explains that the experience felt like receiving a death sentence. It was extremely heavy and overwhelming. Yet Paul did not rely on his own strength; instead, he surrendered himself to God.

Indeed, when we go through difficult processes, there are many pressures and burdens weighing us down. Blaming ourselves or others for what has happened can cause us to lose our appetite, struggle to sleep, have difficulty interacting with others, and experience stress.

However, like the Apostle Paul, after going through such a difficult journey, he received renewed strength and was able to comfort those who were experiencing hardships in their lives. We too can offer comfort and strength to our brothers and sisters because we truly understand the journey they are going through—we have gone through it ourselves.

As believers who have faith in God, we are confident that we can overcome bad experiences if we walk with Him. In fact, every difficult process shapes us into better people and enables us to strengthen and comfort others.

Bad experiences help us grow and build endurance. It is in these moments that we prove our faith is genuine, so that our thanksgiving comes not only from our lips but from our hearts.

Let us always give thanks in every circumstance of our lives—whether in times of joy or difficulty. Amen.

 

Reflection from 2 Corinthians 1:1–11 by Meist.

(Listen to podcast here)