Scripture:
II Corinthians 10:1-18 NKJV
[1] Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. [2] But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. [3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, [6] and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. [7] Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. [8] For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed— [9] lest I seem to terrify you by letters. [10] “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” [11] Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present. [12] For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. [13] We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. [14] For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; [15] not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, [16] to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment. [17] But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” [18] For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
Observation:
As I look at Paul, which honestly I tend to do a lot. What I see is a spiritual warrior. A m a new who knows the battle is so much deeper than what we see. Over and over again in his writings, he brings this point to the light. It’s something he just doesn’t let go of. The letter to the church in Ephesus is a great example of how he does his best to prepare the church to fight an enemy they can’t see. As he teaches about the spiritual armor and how to apply it to our lives. The first piece of the armor being the truth that is only found in the word of GOD. Paul’s approach to this battle is something that needs to be at the forefront of our minds. It’s something that is going to require our attention. As I was reading this morning. I thought it was important to look at spiritual war due to the events of the past few days, and as I came to 2nd Corinthians chapter 10, I just saw the whole chapter as being applicable to the situation. Paul’s teaching the church in Corinth something that a lot of us find really hard to understand. He is not only speaking about gentleness in authority, but spiritual warfare, divine weapons, building up not taring down, and self-awareness and consistency as well. Paul had been given a very special calling. One that I’m sure was very difficult to navigate. His calling was to mold and shape the hearts and minds of not only the people but the church as a whole. A calling like that always comes with spiritual opposition and he knew it. How that opposition was handled made a huge difference in how much push back Paul received. The thing is its pretty clear that he received a lot of push-back. But as we can see in this chapter it never stopped him. He always continued to, as he would say, “press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of GOD in Christ Jesus.” Knowing the opposite that HE faced was similar to what Paul himself would face. As Paul was presenting his case here in chapter 10 he states that as he writes he hopes to maintain meekness and gentleness yet not back down from the authority he had been given in Christ Jesus. He knew that meekness did not mean weakness. That you could be bold and meek at the same time. His goal was to confront those who came against what the LORD had said. Verses 3 through 5 are the cornerstone of the battle plan. The word of GOD is the sword that loops the head of the enemy off. As he continues to teach he asks a very pointed question, “do you look at things according to outward appearance?” HIS question points to deeper matters. Matters of the heart. You see much like Jesus Christ knew that that matter was not outward Paul was given that very same revelation. He knew that that opposition he face was a heart matter. Pressing on to his point. What he is bringing to the light is that those who were opposing him were supposed to be on the same team. He knew that the authority HE had was given by Christ himself, and the purpose of it was to build up the church, to correct hearts that were out of position. He wanted the church to know that the letters he wrote held inside them the very same thing he presented in person without saying a word. He was consistent in word and deed. The real blow in this fight cones from verses 12 through 18. You see Paul was up against men who had placed themselves on a pedestal. Men who thought they were something. As they elevated themselves in their minds, forgetting that the ground was level at the foot of the cross, and overextending their authority. It was all about the gospel. Not any one man. Paul wasn’t trying to take anything from anyone. His desire was that people saw the truth and that it. It’s all about GOD’S glory. Paul knew that He didn’t build anything. He wasn’t trying to take anything. His boldness came from the authority that Christ gave him. Not from some kind of self perceived idea of who he thought he was. His life was all about the call that had been placed on him. A call that would honestly cost him his life.
Application:
I apologize for not sending a SOAP yesterday. Apparently the enemy doesn’t like the truth being presented. I know that the road the LORD had placed me on was not an easy one. But much like Paul there is no way to back up, and honestly I refuse to. We are in a was that we can not see. Those who disagree with the truth will always do their best to keep it from being presented. But you will not silence GOD. Your hand is not big enough to fit over HIS mouth. My goal is not to offend people but to present the truth through what GOD’S word. Yes I left the space out on purpose. GOD’S word is the sword that we fight this battle with, and if we grip it tightly and swing it effectively we won’t cut the ear off of the hearers but the head off of the enemy. Several years ago GOD spoke to me. This time it wasn’t with audible words it was something HE spoke directly to my heart. HE told me to start writing. HE wanted me to write about HIS word. I started by writing in a notebook about 8 years ago. But over the last few years that has shifted to these SOAPS. After beginning my third year of writing. This thread has fallen under the attack of the enemy. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,” you see whether or not you believe it doesn’t change the fact that we are in a spiritual war. Those who don’t want this thread to continue and have reported it as spam, don’t want the truth to be heard. My goal is not to offend, although that happens from time to time. It’s hard to hear the truth and it not offend those who need to adjust their heart position. You see the thing is its know that its not the flesh comes against the knowledge of GOD its the Spiritual influence that they themselves don’t even see. The only enemy i have is Satan and his army. I’m not trying to tare anything else down or coming against what others have built. The truth is the truth. It can’t be changed to fit our lives we have to change our lives to fit the truth. There is no way around that. Yes GOD has met you where you are at. But if you notice what HE said its very important. HE said follow ME. HE doesn’t want you to stay there. GOD’S plan for you is that you would press on and become what HE created you to be. But that’s a choice you will have to make. I want my heart to be set on the things from above and I would pray that your heart is in the same position. This world is not our home and taking selfish thoughts captive loving the least of these and not elevating ourselves but allowing GOD to do so, is the key. I am who HE says I am. Not who I think I am. My point is this. I will continue to do exactly what I believe GOD has instructed me to. Those who don’t like it will continue to yelp as the rocks of truth get lobbed into the pack of wolves. But that will not stop what GOD is doing. I have had the privilege of reading the end of the book. GOD wins Jesus is KING and no one can stop that.
Prayer:
Father, this morning we pray thank you. You are so absolutely incredible. We know that the battle has already been won, and you are the victor we also know that those who seem to come against us are not the ones we fight. Help us to remember that and not attack them but hit our knees and pray for wisdom as we approach every situation. Because that’s how the victory is seen. We want to present who you are. Not some puffed up opinion of who we think we are. This life is not about us. I’m not sure I can say that enough. We want to set ourselves aside. Our opinion and our pride and just let your word speak. If we boast we want to boast in what you have done. Knowing that you have changed our lives given us boldness and written your word on our hearts. We pray that as we swing that sword it is done with the precision of a spiritual warrior. Not someone who will cut the ear off of those who need to hear it but the head off the enemy. The one who wants to divide. We are on the same team. Please allow that to be seen. Present your church on a united front. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.