THE SPIRITUAL WAR [DEVOTION] - 11 March 2010
Posted by: feedtheflock_dev <feedtheflock_dev@...>
THE SPIRITUAL WAR
2 Corinthians 10 vs. 1 – 18
Paul wrote many letters to various churches and this letter in particular was the second to the Corinthians. Bible commentaries indicate that “there was no place in which the apostle Paul met with more opposition from false apostles than at Corinth; he had many enemies there.” Thus you will find in chapter one that he starts with recounting “God’s goodness to him and his fellow-labourers in their manifold tribulations, which he speaks of by way of thanksgiving to God, and to advance the divine glory (Chapter 1 v. 3-6).”
At the end of Chapter 5 – He mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, regeneration and reconciliation (v. 16 to the end). And talks more of Christ as our mediator, “who knew no sin of his own, was made sin for us, so we, who have no righteousness of our own, are made the righteousness of God in him.”
In Chapters 8 and 9 – He talks more about giving and the work of charity and proceeds to give directions about the acceptable way and manner of performing it, namely, bountifully, deliberately, and freely; and gives good encouragement for so doing (v. 6 to the end)
In this Chapter 10 – he is a kind of going back to chapter 1 where he already pointed of the tribulations faced and being faced by believers.
From vs.1 to 2 – he humbly introduces himself with words like gentle, meek and to us this shows that “We should be aware of our own weaknesses, and think humbly of ourselves, even when men criticize us for them. And indicate his authority to deal with those that wrongly associate him with worldly views.
· This where some of stumble as the world is strong at judging others actions even without justification – no apparent evidence.
Paul clearly defines the contentious issues on the war, which is not to fight after the flesh but using heavenly weapons to:
* Destroy strong holds.
* False arguments (imaginations)
* Every proud obstacle (thing) that is raised (exalt itself) against the knowledge of God
* Bringing into captivity every thought and make it obey God.
The New international Readers version puts, “every claim and every reason that keeps people from knowing God, keep every thought under control in order to make it obey Christ.”
T
his is what is haunting today’s Christians. They have a lot on the table, homosexuality (gay), lesbianism inclusive on top of false beliefs – liberal Christianity in it – what about rights.
But vs. 6 states the goodness of complete obedience to the gospel hence believers should remain blameless.
Do you just talk of Christ while you don’t live as Christ? Do you look at outward appearance?
Vs. 7 - Many cases this is common among believers and one singer complained about it.
Let’s live to build other up not tearing them down. Do not be ashamed of talking about the authority of Christ. Vs. 8 - Students need us very much.
Learning from verses 9 to 11 – Outward appearance deceives and what you do should be practical and compatible with what you claim you are to people. We are salt of the earth.
Wise words from vs. 13 – the quality of your Christian life will be testified by those around you. So many people are following other people’s examples as their life. While it is good to have mentors we should not be copy cats. It is not surprising to see many people following church names or religious groups due to their fame but forgetting the greatest and the most important thing = believing in Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
Vs. 13 – boast according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us = reach more converts and brag about them. Go to more students and brag about them. Your achievements are of great importance. Conquer your own territory.
Learn to find your limits and work according to God’s will. We face frustration because we want to achieve more or reach areas beyond our boundaries. Others are fond of going far living their homeland spiritually starving. Verse 14.
Romans 15 vs. 20 “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.” Paul had some rules;
1. Preaching the Gospel where Christ has not been heard of
2. Not to build on a foundation laid by someone.
Many people mostly boast at the work of somebody else, some their pastors, evangelists and some, how big and popular their church is. But do they have ability to bring change to others? Do they know Christ? Can they preach, pray or testify?
What was Paul’s goal:
* To preach the gospel in other countries not already reached. WHY?
Not to boast about work already done in someone else’s field. Vs. 16
Vs. 17 – Has a good idea;
a) Whoever wants to boast (glorieth) must boast (glory) about what the Lord has done (in the Lord)
Who are then approved? = people whom the Lord thinks well (the Lord commends). AND NOT?
= people who think well of themselves (commends themselves)
SUMMARY
v Obedience is a good weapon to be used in order to gain God’s approval
v A defined vision of the gospel should be put in place so that we should not duplicate what others have already done.
v God will not approve commentators – people who boast of what others have done rather than what they have achieved or have managed to produce.
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