2 Corinthians 10:7-12

                                                                 2 Corinthians 10:7-12

Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.  For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.  I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters.  For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.”  Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present.  Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

 

Ministry is vital to the growth of the church and the well-being of the body of Christ.  Like anything, ministry requires leadership and understanding.  It is not an easy thing to minister to others or to lead others because there is so much room for misunderstanding.  Those who stand firm as leaders in ministry will often be criticized by those who do not want to follow or submit to that leadership.  In Paul’s defense of his ministry, we learn some helpful principles for ministry.

 

CONFIDENCE IS HELPFUL FOR MINISTRY: Those who were being critical of Paul’s ministry were confident that they were in Christ.  Paul wants to remind them that he too is confident of his position in Christ.  If every time we are criticized as leaders, we begin to doubt the work of God in our lives, we will not be effective.  Paul was very confident that his authority as an apostle came from Christ.  Paul was confident that his motives for doing ministry were pure because he was truly seeking to build others up and not destroy them or build himself up.  If God has placed us in an area of authority and we are seeking to serve others in ministry for the glory of God, we can be confident in ministry.

 

CONSISTENCY IS IMPORTANT IN MINISTRY: There was a criticism about Paul’s lack of power or eloquence when he was physically present as compared to the tone of his letters.  Paul wants to make it clear that his message was always consistent.  Apparently, Paul’s outward appearance was not impressive or attractive.  He was described as short.  There is speculation that he had a grotesque eye disease.  His oratory skills may not have been as honed as Apollo or other ministers.  However, despite of these perceptions, Paul was consistent in the content of his messaging.  He said the same thing when he was present as he did in his letters even though they might have been perceived differently.  If our communication is always biblical, it will always be consistent no matter what means of communication we choose.

 

COMARRISON IS DETRIMENTAL TO MINISTRY: Part of the reason that Paul’s ministry was criticized was due to the way the people were making comparisons between ministers and between one another.  God creates people and equips people uniquely.  We are all dependent upon God and have been given all we have by Him and for purposes of His design.  When we compare ourselves against one another, we are being detrimental to the cause of Christ.  Comparison will almost always promote pride and/or discouragement and God does not want us to live in such a way.  We must be thankful for what God has granted us as well as for what He does in others.

 

APPLICATION: Be confident in our position in Christ and assured that the positions of authority He has granted to us and the authorities that are over us have all come from Him.  Base all we say or write on the Word of God so that all our communication will be consistent and biblical.  Avoid the trap of comparison and just serve faithfully wherever God places us.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more