2 Corinthians 10
Have you ever had to defend yourself to
people who should know and trust you? It’s not a happy feeling. That, however,
is what Paul did in 2 Corinthians 10-11. People were saying, “He talks tough in
his letters, but when he’s here he’s a no-show. All talk. No action.” Can you imagine that? Paul? This guy traveled
all over the known world and stood before government officials, kings, angry
mobs, and many others to declare the Gospel! To think him timid is nearly
slanderous!
What Paul was, was humble. Humble and
timid are two different things, although sometimes people confuse the two. Apparently
there were those who were bragging about their achievements in Corinth. Paul’s
appearance must have suffered by comparison in their eyes.
Paul protested the attack. He said,
“Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s,
so also are we.” In fact, he pointed
out, he was the one who introduced them to Jesus and proclaimed the Gospel to
them so they could believe!
What do we do when people attack us? How
do we react when people indict and falsely accuse us? People look at
Christians’ response to abortion, homosexuality, and other issues of morality
and call us judgmental, un-loving, and out of touch with reality. Some of us
have even experienced hostility inside and the church as we’ve sought to be
faithful to God’s Word. What do we do?
Paul shows us that we begin with the
truth that we belong to Jesus because He saved us by shedding his own blood to
wash our sins away. We are forgiven sinners who live among sinners Jesus died
to forgive – whether they believe it or not! That truth is paramount! Then we
can examine the facts. Perhaps we do deserve the comments about us. In such a
case we confess our sins and live by grace. If we don’t deserve it, we rest in
peace knowing our savior knows our suffering.
It is surprising how freeing that can be.
We don’t need to put on a show. We can be who we are in Christ – forgiven,
loved, called, chosen. Then we can love others in such a way that their lives
are transformed too by the forgiveness Jesus won for all of us.
Lord, free me to be confident in Your
salvation so I may love others as You have loved me and share the hope You have
given me. Amen.
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