2 Corinthians 13:11-13 (NRSV)
Read 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Verse 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. Verse 13The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Devotion
My grandmother fell short of five feet but was the master of the kitchen. No matter the raging argument in the little farm house, all else fell aside when grandma said it was time to eat. “That’s enough now. It’s time to sit up.”
Paul’s relationship with the church in Corinth was a rocky one. Paul pulled no punches when confronting sin or pleading for reconciliation. He knew that sin and broken community brought death to individuals and congregations, not be healed by a simple prescription of good behavior. Death to sin and resurrection to life was the only hope. At the end of his letter, Paul pointed one more time to the church’s only hope. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” It was Paul’s way of saying, “Come and sit at the table of grace. Right now, God’s grace is all that matters.”
Prayer
Lord, God, flood us with your grace. We trust only in you. Amen.