OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS " . . . who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you." -- Tomorrow:
"Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Cor 10:1-6)
Devotion 12 of 44
Like many in our time, there were some in Corinth who could not conceive of Paul becoming agitated, and employing a spiritual arsenal against someone in the church. That misconception is what allowed them to criticize Paul, question his motives, and speak of him as though he was a helpless preacher and teacher, subject to the whims of men.
They were sorely wrong in their assessment. Like God Himself, godliness has two sides. It has a certain response to righteousness, and quite another to unrighteousness. Jesus did not treat all men alike, as the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and lawyers could testify. On the one hand, he referred to His people as "my sheep" (John 10:27). On the other hand, He referred to the scribes and Pharisees as "a generation of vipers," (Matt 23:33), and to Herod as "that fox" (Lk 13:32). To one group of people He said, "Come unto Me . . . and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28). To another He said, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" (Matt 23:33). And again, "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life" (John 5:40).
And why do we read of these differing responses expressed by the Savior of the world? It is because He is repulsed by iniquity and drawn to righteousness. It is because the tenderhearted are precious in His sight (Psa 34:18), and the hardhearted are an abomination (Prov 17:15).
Now Paul will reveal two sides of his own nature. Those sides precisely parallel the nature of the Savior, for it is Christ living in him that is compelling this response (Gal 2:20).
I have also come to see that Corinth was not the last church that questioned Paul's ministry and even twisted his teachings. In our day, the rejection of Paul is more subtle. Officially, he is recognized by the professing church, and his epistles are acknowledged as inspired, and part of the Scriptures. However, when it comes to practicality, the modern church is conducting itself as though Paul was not the apostle to the Gentiles, was not inspired, and was not sent by Christ to expound the great mysteries formerly hidden to the sons of men.
There are several matters that Paul expounded in a most unique manner. Yet, on these subjects there remains an astounding measure of ignorance within the professed church. Were you to ask the average church member, and even a great number of "Christian" teachers and leaders, what Paul taught on the following subjects, you would be met with glassy-eyes stares and speechlessness.
1. The totally corrupt state of men (Rom 1:10-3:19).
2. The imputation of righteousness (Rom 1:16-18; 3:21-26; 4:1-22; 5:17-18,21; 2 Cor 5:21).
3. Justification (Rom 3:24; 4:2,25; 5:1,9; 8:30; Gal 2:16-17; 3:11,24).
4. The comparison of Christ with Adam, and the effect they have upon all their progeny (Rom 5:12-19).
5. The conflict between good and evil that rages within the believer (Rom 7:14-25).
6. The role of the Holy Spirit in redemption (Rom 8:1-27).
7. The role of Israel, and God's commitment to them (Rom 9-11).
8. The resurrection of the dead, and the resurrection body (1 Cor 15:20-56; 2 Cor 5:1-5).
9. The necessity of personal purity and separation (2 Cor 6:14-7:1; Eph 5:11; 2 Tim 3:1-5).
10. What was involved in the Savior coming into the world, and its bearing upon how we are to think (Phil 2:5-13).
11. The true motive for living unto the Lord (Phil 3:7-17).
12. What happened when Jesus took away the sins of the world (2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13).
13. The difference between being justified by works and justified by faith (Rom 3:28; 4:2; Gal 2:16; 3:11,24).
14. What it means to be "dead with Christ" (Rom 6:1-8; Col 2:20-23).
15. What it means to be risen with Christ (Rom 6:4; Eph 2:6; Col 2:12; 3:1-3).
16. What God is doing in salvation (Rom 8:29-30; Gal 1:4; Eph 1:10; 2:7; 3:10-11; 5:26-27).
17. What is to take place within the church (Eph 1:15-20; 3:15-20; 4:11-16; Col 1:9-11).
This will suffice to establish the point I am making, although many additional things could be cited that were opened by Paul. My point is that there is a prevailing ignorance concerning these things within the professed church. The matters with which they have become absorbed bear no similarity to these things. The attention has been diverted to things relating to this world, time, and our experiences in the body. Earthly relationships have been exalted above spiritual ones. Worldly possessions have been emphasized rather than those residing in the heart.
However, in order to engage in such emphases, you must neglect Paul – and remember, he is the appointed Apostle to the Gentiles. You cannot subject your mind to the expressions of Paul and arrive at the prevailing conclusions that are being perpetrated within the modern American church.
Take, for example, the heath and wealth movement. You cannot buttress this line of teaching with the writings of Paul. You must go to the writings of Moses to do so – and even then, you must ignore WHY such promises were made to Israel, as well as the fact that they never experienced them. Consider the "great commission" thrust that is found in much of the preaching that is addressed to the church. Can you establish this emphasis with Paul's writings? And remember, all of his epistles were addressed to those who are in Christ Jesus. What of the emphasis on family relationships, or the centrality of the family unit. Can you use Paul's writings to establish this as an emphasis, or major point?
Understand, I am not saying that Paul is the only one through whom God has spoken to us, for that is emphatically NOT the case. However, he is one of the primary individuals through whom He has spoken to the church. Yet, his writings are virtually unknown within the church. If you doubt that this is the case, indulge yourself in an effort to confirm that his writings are well known among believers, and document your findings.
I have come from a background where, on the subject of justification, men preferred what James said to what Paul said – even though they did not have the faintest understanding of either man. Both were inspired, but they were not both addressing justification from the same perspective. James was rebuking people who said they were saved, yet whose lives contradicted their claim. Paul was anchoring believers in the truth and verity of justification. Yet, those with whom I had companied chose to base their theology upon James and ignore the affirmations of Paul – even though James was rebuking and Paul was establishing.
Now, all of this is intended to show that Paul is being treated today just as he was in Corinth. Further, it is just as serious for him to be ignored now as it was then. Therefore, as we view his words, let us think of them as being addressed to people who have ignored what he has said. Consider them as being written to people who have access to his writings, yet pay no heed to them. Think about his words as being written to people who say they are saved, yet have the marks of the world upon them, are ignorant of the deep things of God, and are basically unacquainted with the things God revealed to Paul.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, deliver me from any form of religion that tolerates an ignorance of what You have revealed.