2 Corinthians 10:1-6
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (vs 3-5).
In chapters 10-13 Paul is defending his authority, given to him by God, (just as God gives each one of us authority in Him!) toward a minority of Corinthians who were criticizing him as someone who was not impressive in his preaching - but more powerful (to them) in his writing. He speaks to his standing in Christ - which also speaks to our standing, in the verses above. He writes that although we live in this world, we aren't of it (for more insight - http://www.gotquestions.org/in-but-not-of-world.html). Since we aren't of it, we don't see, understand, nor act in the ways of the world.
Paul uses the analogy of war. Our weapons aren't like the world's weapons - our weapons are of divine power! Our weapons can tear down strongholds - grips and attacks of Satan, the flesh (our own sin), and the world (system)! Guns, cons, manipulation, beating down, persuasive words and glitter, intelligence and debate - these worldly ways do not have divine power - God's power. They are an end in themselves. They last as long as the next time. They are selfish, self-centered, and ultimately no match for God's power.
Paul was being criticized/evaluated by a few according to their standards - Greek eloquence and superiority (in their own eyes!). Paul let them know that their standards did not match up with God's wisdom and ways. Paul was "God's guy"...he was seeking to be and do according to God's ways. The Holy Spirit, Faith, Prayer, Hope, Love, and God's Word - these were Paul's weapons - these are our weapons...the world, the flesh or the devil are no match to God's weapons - for God's people (Ephesians 6:13-18).
How about you? What about me? Are we depending on God and His weapons? God's ways and wisdom in this world for our time? Or are we depending on the world's way - our own strategies, strengths, abilities, - matching, going tow-to-tow with our opponents?
"Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit, Faith, Prayer, Hope, Love, and Your Word - thank You for the relationship we have with You - that You have initiated and that by Your grace we continually seek to be before You. Speak to each one of us about areas where we are depending on ourselves and the world's ways rather than Yours. Thanks for loving us God, we love You...help us to love You more and more!"
Showing posts with label divine power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label divine power. Show all posts
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Friday, November 26, 2010
Do everything in Love
1 Corninthians 16
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (vs. 13,14).
I’m so grateful to the Lord for how He’s insured to be recorded in Scripture the very things we need ‘for life and Godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). I’m so thankful that not only is Scripture relevant, pertinent, necessary, and spot-on for life on earth, and a glimpse of Glory; But God, through His Spirit, through fellowship with the Body of Christ, has empowered us with what we need to live for God!
Paul tells the Corinthians in these verses, ‘Be on your guard.’ He has instructed them in many things throughout his previous writings in 1 Corinthians. These verses are his wrap up. So, he exhorts them, to be vigilant, to be alert, in the things he has shared, so that they are not deceived. To guard themselves by practicing the spiritual disciplines which position them (us) to meet the Lord and receive continually His empowerment. – For us – read and study the Word and meditate on it, seeking the Lord’s presence in it; be prayerful, be in fellowship with brothers and sisters who also are seeking the Lord, serve the Lord with the spirituals gifts He has given you, and put on the full armor of God (Ephesisan 6:10-18).
God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) guard ourselves.
Paul exhorts us to stand firm in the faith. As we practice the spiritual disciplines above (there are other spiritual disciplines as well, really anything that helps position ourselves to grow in the Lord) we are enabled to stand firm, as our faith is continually strengthened. Stand firm, don’t waiver, don’t be carried away by what is not of the Lord. Sometimes deception is the most rational, logical, practical argument…and opposite of what God’s design is for us.
God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) stand firm in the faith.
Be courageous. Paul tells us to be courageous…knowing that there would be much in this world to fear in and of ourselves…one can only be courageous – courage is only revealed – in the face of what is fearful, difficult, dangerous, and cause for shrinking back. Only with the assurance of God’s presence, protection, and guidance can we be courageous.
God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) be courageous.
Be strong. “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His Might/in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). Paul exhorts us to be strong. Really, if we are on guard, if we stand firm in the faith, if we are courageous, we will be strong. This is how we become strong. The essence of which is revealed through our dependence the Lord’s mighty, divine power.
God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) be strong.
And finally, Paul reminds the Corinthians and us that everything is to be done in love. Love is the common denominator. Love is the motivator – both of the one loving and being blessed with love. God is love. We hear from Paul that love is the most excellent way (1 Corinthians 13). In fact, Paul could very well have stated (again) that if you are on guard, if you stand firm in faith, if you are courageous, if you are strong, but it is not in love…it is all for naught, it is worthless.
God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) do everything in love.
“Lord thank You that You have provided me (us) as Your sons and daughters, everything we need to be on guard, to stand firm in faith, to be courageous, to be strong, and to do all in love. Please show me (us) ways in which we could follow these reminders more fully. Even so Maran atha – Come Lord – we love You.”
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (vs. 13,14).
I’m so grateful to the Lord for how He’s insured to be recorded in Scripture the very things we need ‘for life and Godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). I’m so thankful that not only is Scripture relevant, pertinent, necessary, and spot-on for life on earth, and a glimpse of Glory; But God, through His Spirit, through fellowship with the Body of Christ, has empowered us with what we need to live for God!
Paul tells the Corinthians in these verses, ‘Be on your guard.’ He has instructed them in many things throughout his previous writings in 1 Corinthians. These verses are his wrap up. So, he exhorts them, to be vigilant, to be alert, in the things he has shared, so that they are not deceived. To guard themselves by practicing the spiritual disciplines which position them (us) to meet the Lord and receive continually His empowerment. – For us – read and study the Word and meditate on it, seeking the Lord’s presence in it; be prayerful, be in fellowship with brothers and sisters who also are seeking the Lord, serve the Lord with the spirituals gifts He has given you, and put on the full armor of God (Ephesisan 6:10-18).
God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) guard ourselves.
Paul exhorts us to stand firm in the faith. As we practice the spiritual disciplines above (there are other spiritual disciplines as well, really anything that helps position ourselves to grow in the Lord) we are enabled to stand firm, as our faith is continually strengthened. Stand firm, don’t waiver, don’t be carried away by what is not of the Lord. Sometimes deception is the most rational, logical, practical argument…and opposite of what God’s design is for us.
God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) stand firm in the faith.
Be courageous. Paul tells us to be courageous…knowing that there would be much in this world to fear in and of ourselves…one can only be courageous – courage is only revealed – in the face of what is fearful, difficult, dangerous, and cause for shrinking back. Only with the assurance of God’s presence, protection, and guidance can we be courageous.
God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) be courageous.
Be strong. “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His Might/in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). Paul exhorts us to be strong. Really, if we are on guard, if we stand firm in the faith, if we are courageous, we will be strong. This is how we become strong. The essence of which is revealed through our dependence the Lord’s mighty, divine power.
God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) be strong.
And finally, Paul reminds the Corinthians and us that everything is to be done in love. Love is the common denominator. Love is the motivator – both of the one loving and being blessed with love. God is love. We hear from Paul that love is the most excellent way (1 Corinthians 13). In fact, Paul could very well have stated (again) that if you are on guard, if you stand firm in faith, if you are courageous, if you are strong, but it is not in love…it is all for naught, it is worthless.
God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) do everything in love.
“Lord thank You that You have provided me (us) as Your sons and daughters, everything we need to be on guard, to stand firm in faith, to be courageous, to be strong, and to do all in love. Please show me (us) ways in which we could follow these reminders more fully. Even so Maran atha – Come Lord – we love You.”
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