The only test of a human is WORD and deed: what do they do and teach? Do they GLORIFY God in doctrine and life - “Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present” (vs11).
The gospel changes us into the character of Christ, so that we’re obedient in word and deed, even as He both TAUGHT and did things that proved Him the Son of God (Acts 1:1).
We have not been changed by human strength, but God came upon us in grace, cast down our idolatrous thoughts, and He set Jesus Christ as Lord of lords, so that we forsake everything and follow Him. We see, by revelation, the forgiveness of sins in His blood and the Holy Spirit ABLE to cleanse, change, and produce fruit in us. We hear a saving God, and we believe - “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And after you become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient“ (2 Cor 10:4-6).
Paul had problems with some who thought he was all talk, and he assures us that as he was by letter - loving, gracious, Christ exalting, and firm - so would he be in person. Like Paul, we are not among those who compare ourselves with ourselves, but we are sinners who obtained mercy, saints whose feet are washed by the Spirit daily, and new creations who live INDEBTED to Christ, rather than “better” than you or out for your favor - “Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed–– lest I seem to terrify you by letters. ‘For his letters,’ they say, ‘are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.’ Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present. For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise“ (vs7-12).
I had the privilege of seeing two believers THANKFUL to God and unworthy of each other. They treated each other as unworthy to be so blessed of God, and they were filled with peace. But, when humans leave GRATITUDE for what they have and become consumed by what they want and how they want to be exalted, then peace leaves and fussing enters in.
The false prophets were boasting in their abilities. They were preaching to people Paul saved by the gospel, and yet, they were defaming him. He says that his proof of faithfulness is preaching the gospel, even to Corinth, and doing it in a way that his life manifested the sincerity of his message and calling - “We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us––a sphere which especially includes you. For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment” (vs13-16).
We are not those who put ourselves forward; we are those whom God has commended by word and deed. He gave us the gospel that we preach, clearly, and He gives us the obedience of love whereby we preach it - “But ‘he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.’ For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends” (vs17-18).
This COMMENDATION is greater than the approval of millions of people. It is the approval that comes from God called “good works”, “obedience”, “fruitfulness”, etc.
The gospel changes us into the character of Christ, so that we’re obedient in word and deed, even as He both TAUGHT and did things that proved Him the Son of God (Acts 1:1).
We have not been changed by human strength, but God came upon us in grace, cast down our idolatrous thoughts, and He set Jesus Christ as Lord of lords, so that we forsake everything and follow Him. We see, by revelation, the forgiveness of sins in His blood and the Holy Spirit ABLE to cleanse, change, and produce fruit in us. We hear a saving God, and we believe - “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And after you become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient“ (2 Cor 10:4-6).
Paul had problems with some who thought he was all talk, and he assures us that as he was by letter - loving, gracious, Christ exalting, and firm - so would he be in person. Like Paul, we are not among those who compare ourselves with ourselves, but we are sinners who obtained mercy, saints whose feet are washed by the Spirit daily, and new creations who live INDEBTED to Christ, rather than “better” than you or out for your favor - “Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed–– lest I seem to terrify you by letters. ‘For his letters,’ they say, ‘are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.’ Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present. For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise“ (vs7-12).
I had the privilege of seeing two believers THANKFUL to God and unworthy of each other. They treated each other as unworthy to be so blessed of God, and they were filled with peace. But, when humans leave GRATITUDE for what they have and become consumed by what they want and how they want to be exalted, then peace leaves and fussing enters in.
The false prophets were boasting in their abilities. They were preaching to people Paul saved by the gospel, and yet, they were defaming him. He says that his proof of faithfulness is preaching the gospel, even to Corinth, and doing it in a way that his life manifested the sincerity of his message and calling - “We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us––a sphere which especially includes you. For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment” (vs13-16).
We are not those who put ourselves forward; we are those whom God has commended by word and deed. He gave us the gospel that we preach, clearly, and He gives us the obedience of love whereby we preach it - “But ‘he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.’ For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends” (vs17-18).
This COMMENDATION is greater than the approval of millions of people. It is the approval that comes from God called “good works”, “obedience”, “fruitfulness”, etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment