|
|
Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
December 27
Click on verses for Full Scripture
|
previous - - - - - - - - - -
next
|
Today's Pathway:
|
In verse 2 Paul told the Corinthians that he was not going to spare them when he came to Corinth, but that he was going to discipline those who refused to repent. Now in verse 3 he writes that since the false teachers had been convincing some of the church members that Paul wasn't really a representative of Christ, he would prove to them that the Lord was speaking through him by disciplining them. Dave Guzik commented,
"Paul’s opponents said they wanted to see more 'power' from Paul (II Corinthians 10:10). He seemed too weak and humble for their liking. So Paul addressed this thinking: 'You want to see proof of Christ speaking in me? Fine. When I come the third time, you will see the power of God in my rebuke as I clean house. So clean it up before I come.'"
No leader desires to discipline those under him. Yet there are times when this must occur, and if the leader refuses to do it he will be seen as being impotent. Back in I Corinthians 5:1-5 we saw the church being proud of their willingness to tolerate sin. Paul condemned them for that, told them that they need to discipline the offender, and wrote that he said all that "with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ". We have mentioned previously that we need to be patient with people as they grow in grace. However, to allow them to continue in willful rebellion does not make us appear to be compassionate, but rather shows us to be spineless.
Paul adds in verses 3-4 that Christ is not weak, but mighty, and this has been evident even among the Corinthians. He was mighty when He saved them, and He was mighty when He validated Paul's apostolic ministry with "signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds" (II Corinthians 12:12). However, there were many people during Jesus' lifetime who felt that He was "weak". Remember that the Jews were looking for a military leader, not Someone Who spoke of Himself as being "meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). And they certainly were not looking for Someone Who would be crucified. That was His ultimate weakness. Yet, Jesus arose from the dead and is alive today because of the power of God working through Him. Paul told the church in I Corinthians 6:14.
"And God hath both raised up the Lord...by his own power".
Christ may have appeared weak, but He had (and has) all authority because of the power of God. The apostle is obviously not claiming to have the authority that Jesus does, but he is using Christ as an example of how God is at work in him. Paul also appeared to be weak physically, and he did not deal with the Corinthians in an overbearing manner, so some in the church assumed that he had no authority from the Lord, yet it was the power of God that enabled him to live and to carry out his ministry. Homer Kent commented,
"If it bothered the Corinthians that Paul did not always behave as a powerful, authoritarian leader, let them remember that Christ also had displayed this combination of weakness and strength. He had shown 'weakness' by human estimation when He submitted meekly to His enemies without violence or retaliation, and endured the humiliation of crucifixion. That was not the whole story, however, for He also was resurrected by the power of God, showing that His 'weakness' was no permanent nor degrading condition."
We serve an amazing God Who exhibited His power through the "weaknesses" of Christ and Paul. Thus, when looking at others, we dare not judge them by their outward characteristics of physical prowess or a magnetic personality, but rather judge them by the evidence of the power of God in their lives and ministries. And as Christians we also need to live our lives through the power of God. Whether we appear to be feeble, or whether we appear to be talented, the bottom line is that we will only accomplish something for the Lord through His power.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
|
|
You Are Here: 
