Nougat 4

Hello

I pray you are well. Please receive today’s Holy Nougat

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭13:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This blessing is well known by many of us, both in the faith or without but raised in Christian circles. In its own right, it is a beautiful and powerful blessing, but the story behind it makes it even more poignant.

This was perhaps Paul’s third letter to the Corinthians, as the membership looked and acted like the average congregation of our time. They had great members who were fully souled out to Christ and they had cliques. Some of those cliques were a bit sidetracked by quests for power and by the infiltration of false doctrines in the church. (Sounds familiar, yes?)

Having previously sent them a strongly worded reprimand, all seemed well, until Paul‘s discovery that the situation had worsened. That discovery resulted in an addendum to the letter he had begun, which demonstrated his hurt, frustration and disappointment. This blessing is Paul’s last words in the addendum.

I can’t help but see/hear Paul’s warning to the Ephesians (4:26); ‘be angry but do not sin…’ being portrayed here. The group had stirred up new doctrines that seems to have impugned Paul’s reputation. He firmly defended the Faith, his reputation and their spiritual state YET made room to ensure that they were blessed.

Can you imagine the impact we could each make were we to do likewise? To return someone’’s repeated disrespect and defamation of our character with words of encouragement and blessings? Uh .. yes, maybe; Nope?

But that’s what this blessing is doing. It doesn’t absolve but it invites reflection and even repentance. And reminds us that God does the same for us daily. So as we chew on this delectable nougat, may we also feel the blessings extended to us by God.

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May all we seek be found in Christ