25 Sep October 9th Daily Devotion

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

NC

2 Corinthians 2:17 “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.”

The repairman comes to repair your air conditioner that is not functioning properly.  With fear and trepidation, you watch him take his tools and gauges out of his truck.  He trudges to the unit at the side of your home.  He hooks up his testing equipment, scratches his head for a moment, jiggles a couple of wires, disconnects all of his equipment, and tells you there was just a loose wire.  He reconnected it and all is good.  Then he takes the bill and writes NC (no charge) on it.  Not even a charge for the service call.

St. Paul told the Corinthians he did not peddle the word of God for profit.  There were itinerant spiritual men in those days as there are yet today who went from village to village, town to town and metropolitan areas “peddling their message.”  Romans 6:23 says your eternal life is God’s free gift to you.  Through Jesus He has written no charge (NC) on your account.

In a world of paying your way God in His grace charges you nothing for His pardon, forgiveness, and heaven.  That does not mean this was free.  It cost Jesus dearly.  He gave His life on the cross in payment for your sins.  But, across your debit sheet Jesus has written His name in blood.  His name is like a giant NC.  Because of God’s gift of faith to you in His Son your balance sheet shows zero. . . there is no debit.  You owe nothing.  It is just if you never sinned.

St. Paul in today’s devotional verse attributes his ministry to God.  He was, he said, “sent by God.”  There was no charge for Paul’s ministry.  There is no charge for the ministry of the Gospel today.  God’s love for you and all people is free with no strings attached.  He will not at a later date come to collect.  Jesus paid in full the price for your sins and salvation.  “With His stripes you are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Prayer:  Praise and thanks to You Jesus for paying the debt of my sins.  Amen.

God loved the world so that He gave His only Son the lost to save,

That all who would in Him believe Should everlasting life receive.

Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,

Who was made flesh and suffered death

All then who trust in Him alone Are built on this chief cornerstone.

God would not have the sinner die; His Son with saving grace is nigh;

His Spirit in the Word declares How we in Christ are heaven’s heirs.

Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son

Forgives all sins which you have done;

And, justified by Jesus’ blood, Your Baptism grants the highest good.

If you are sick, if death is near,

This truth your troubled heart can cheer:

Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;

That is the firmest ground of faith.

Glory to God the Father, Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One!

To You, O blessed Trinity, Be praise now and eternally!

(LSB 571)