25 Oct November 10th Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

WALK IN THE LIGHT – PART II

2 Corinthians 6:15 “What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?”

A symphony orchestra always tunes before giving a concert.  The concert master provides the note with which all the rest of the instruments must in be in harmony.  The conductor will not begin the concert until assured that the orchestra has been properly tuned.

“What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?” (2 Corinthians 6:15)  Belial is a transgressor, impious, foolish, a pest and good for nothing.  Belial is the title given by the Jews for Satan.  Therefore, Paul’s question in today’s devotional verse is rhetorical.  The obvious answer is there can be no harmony between Christ and Satan.  Christ is light while Satan is darkness. (Yesterday’s devotion) Christ is holy, pure, and life.  Satan is sin, disobedience, and death.

In the same verse St. Paul writes there is no harmony between believers and unbelievers.  Yesterday’s devotion focused upon how incompatible it is for a believer to be “yoked” to an unbeliever.  Their lives are polar opposites.  They are going in far different directions.  Their goals are not the same.

Believers follow Jesus.  Unbelievers follow Satan.  Jesus leads believers to heaven.  Satan leads unbelievers to hell.  Unfortunately, while on earth human beings can become confused in which one to follow.  Take the rich man, who, while on earth had the finest of what an earthly life could give.  It was not until he was in hell that he became painfully aware that following Satan was not good.  If you remember, he begged Abraham to send Lazarus with just one drop of water to quench His thirst.  (See Luke 16:19-31)

Jesus alone is the source of light and life.  Jesus alone is the one who leads you safely through every day of your life.  Faith in Jesus alone merits God’s forgiveness of your sins.  Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, grant me a faith that will not shrink. . .that shines more bright and clear. . .that keeps the narrow way. . .that I will receive an eternal home with my heavenly Father, the angels and all the saints.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Oh, for a faith that will not shrink Tho’ pressed by many a foe;

That will not tremble on the brink  Of p[poverty or woe;

That will not murmur nor complain Beneath the chast’ning rod,

But in the hour of grief or pain Can lean upon its God;

A faith that shines more bright and clear

When tempests rage without; That, when in danger, knows no fear,

In darkness feels no doubt;

That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown

Nor heeds its scornful smile; That sin’s wild ocean cannot drown

Nor Satan’s arts beguile;

A faith that keeps the narrow way Till life’s last spark is fed

And with a pure and heavenly ray Lights up the dying bed.

Lord, give us such a faith as this; And then, whate’er may come,

We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss Of an eternal home.

(TLH 396)