Let’s be honest, Paul was like, the best apostle ever. What did he do to deserve it? How did he learn to do it? God’s help is a pretty obvious answer here. But regardless, Paul had many characteristics that were extremely obedient to God. First of all, he would never agree to me writing that he was the best apostle ever. He was the one of the most humble of humble ever to walk the earth. He was also extremely patient. He addressed the same problems with the same churches time after time; mistake after mistake, and he still expressed his love for them and affirmed them as the body of Christ. Paul was obviously courageous as he was put in prison and obeyed the Lord with every command.
So what did Paul want from the when he wrote letters and visited the people in Corinth? He didn’t want to get paid, he didn’t ask for food or shelter, or credit for being a famous apostle. But he was still judged. So he depended on the Corinthians, just as they depended on him. He acts in the way that he does so that Corinthians “may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.” He wanted to edify and admonish them. His calling was to strengthen them and teach them how to live. In 1 Corinthians 4: 16 he says, “16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.” Similar to a parent, Paul switches from compliment and encouragements to warnings of what may happen if they do not obey the will of God.
Paul says we should boast not in ourselves. The best boast is about being dependent on God and living according to the Spirit. In this way, the circumstances come together: the positive response of the community is important both to Paul and to the glory of God, as these two things are linked to one another. Even with his reputation at stake, he is not afraid to declare the truth to the Corinthians. The Holy Spirit can share with us His wisdom through us if we obey and open ourselves to be vessels. In 1 Corinthians 2:2, Paul says “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Our role to know Christ crucified, is to know that Christ, in the words of C.S. Lewis, is “not safe, but good.” It is also to know that Christ loves us in our sin and weakness enough to go to the cross. This brings Paul, and should bring us to joy and a passion for expanding His kingdom. Lewis says, “to know Christ crucified is to enter the world and love it.”
Hope this helps you to reflect today!
Much Love,
V
So what did Paul want from the when he wrote letters and visited the people in Corinth? He didn’t want to get paid, he didn’t ask for food or shelter, or credit for being a famous apostle. But he was still judged. So he depended on the Corinthians, just as they depended on him. He acts in the way that he does so that Corinthians “may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.” He wanted to edify and admonish them. His calling was to strengthen them and teach them how to live. In 1 Corinthians 4: 16 he says, “16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.” Similar to a parent, Paul switches from compliment and encouragements to warnings of what may happen if they do not obey the will of God.
Paul says we should boast not in ourselves. The best boast is about being dependent on God and living according to the Spirit. In this way, the circumstances come together: the positive response of the community is important both to Paul and to the glory of God, as these two things are linked to one another. Even with his reputation at stake, he is not afraid to declare the truth to the Corinthians. The Holy Spirit can share with us His wisdom through us if we obey and open ourselves to be vessels. In 1 Corinthians 2:2, Paul says “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Our role to know Christ crucified, is to know that Christ, in the words of C.S. Lewis, is “not safe, but good.” It is also to know that Christ loves us in our sin and weakness enough to go to the cross. This brings Paul, and should bring us to joy and a passion for expanding His kingdom. Lewis says, “to know Christ crucified is to enter the world and love it.”
Hope this helps you to reflect today!
Much Love,
V
No comments:
Post a Comment