for the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, silvanus and timothy and i, was not yes and no, but in him it is always yes. [2 corinthians 1:19]

 

Jesus Christ was and is and always will be God’s incarnate – yes!

what does this mean? a little background and then we will walk into a very clear application for prayer.

background:  paul’s authority as an apostle is in question. because of accused lapses in integrity, those in opposition to paul have stirred the church in corinth to question his character and his authority as God’s apostle. in his defense, he claims a clear conscience for his character and a faithfulness in his leadership through Christ. he is not without sin, but Christ has called him to his apostleship (not man – gal 1:1). he is not without sin, but Christ is transforming him into his faithful witness (2 cor 1:18).  finally, he is not without sin, but the Christ he is proclaiming is (2 cor 1:19).

application: Jesus Christ was and is and always will be God’s incarnate, in the flesh, yes! everything God has said, revealed, promised, commanded … is a yes in Jesus. he lived out every thing God said, he was and is the full revelation of everything God revealed, he was and is the yes to every promise, and he fulfilled every command of God faithfully. Jesus Christ is God’s incarnate – yes!

here is how this can direct our prayers today.

praise – LORD, what an amazing thing that Jesus fulfilled every thing you ever said, revealed, promised, and commanded. help me worship Jesus today as the embodiment of who you are. help me declare you and worship you as the greatest above all. i praise you because you are …

for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, [col 1:19]

intercession – LORD, help me pray for those who don’t know you right now. help me believe you can save them, that you long to save them, and that only you can save them through the yes of Jesus who bore their sin and died in their punishment. LORD, i call out these names begging you would open their eyes to Jesus being your yes! open their eyes to Jesus and save them by your name and your power.

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. [col 1:20]

~ john ryan