2 Corinthians 1:15-24

                                                     2 Corinthians 1:15-24

Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace.  I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.  Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?  As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes.  For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.  And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.  But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.  Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

Planning is an important part of any life and ministry.  However, we must always recognize that our plans must be flexible to the Lord’s sovereign will and the changing circumstances of life.  We always plan with a flawed view of the future.  It is important to plan but also important to recognize the limitations of our plans.  Paul’s communication to the church in Corinth is a great illustration of how our plans should be made.

 

COMMUNICATE OUR PLANS SINCERELY: Apparently, Paul had planned to visit the church in Corinth on both his initial as well as his return visit.  His hope had been to spend time with the church and then receive help from the church to move forward with his missionary journey.  Those plans had to change for reasons beyond Paul’s control.  It appears that Paul is concerned that the church would think that the decision not to return was due to him being upset with the way some things were going in the church.  He also did not want to be seen as a man who did not keep his word.  He had said yes to a return in sincerity and now that the plans had changed, he was saying yes to a new plan that God had mad clear was necessary.  Communication is the key in this instance.  It is okay for plans to change but clear communication is vital when this takes place.

 

CELEBRATE GOD’S PLANS GRATEFULLY: When the Lord makes a change in our plans it is easy for us to become frustrated or angry.  Paul makes it clear that his is neither of those and he wants the church to feel the same.  When God works in our agendas it is always an act of His grace in our lives and it is to be celebrated as such.  Our response to God’s work in and around us should always be met with an amen.  We live for His glory and when He moves in and through us, it is His glory that we are privileged to promote.  We must look to the Lord in all circumstances and thank Him for being involved in our lives, especially when changes are made.

 

CONSECRATE ALL PLANS HUMBLY:  No matter if our plans are realized or if they are changed by God’s sovereign workings in our lives; we are to respond with humility and a commitment to serve others.  Paul understood that what God worked out in this circumstance was truly for the good and well-being of the church as well as his traveling cohort.  All we do should be focused on the glory of God and the growth of the kingdom.  We want our brothers and sisters in Christ to be blessed by our efforts.  When God makes changes, it is both for our good and the good of others.  We are here to love and serve one another in the name of Christ for the glory of the Father.

 

APPLICATION:  Communicate plans and changes to those plans with others in a clear and sincere manner.  Accept changes in our plans without questioning God or becoming frustrated with the person or circumstance that brough about the change.  Live for God’s glory and the good of the body of Christ.

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