OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS Paul is saying that there were some in Corinth who could see nothing more in him than a fellow man. They made no association between his person and what he was doing with the God of heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of God. Although he had been given unparalleled insight into the "eternal purpose" of God and His "great salvation." these critics could not see it. So far as they were concerned he was just another teacher whom they felt free to doubt, and even speak against. In their view he had no more access to truth than they themselves had, even though many of them had believed through his ministry. -- 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 23 of 44
If they had a dispute with Paul, they treated him like any other man with an idea something like the Athenians, who listened to Paul, then "mocked" when they heard him speak of "the resurrection of the dead" (Acts 17:32).
These critics, whom Paul simply identified as "some," viewed his life as one of mere human discipline, seeing nothing in him that was from God, or that required their attention. To them, his primary association was with Adam, or, as some would have it, "the human race." As far as they were concerned, he was nothing more than a man. They could not associate him with a "new creation," or his message with something that was being delivered to him from Jesus. As we will see, this was a very grave error on their part.
THE PROMINENCE OF FLESH IN THE MODERN CHURCH
Even though "the flesh" is said to have been "crucified" by those who are in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:24), its presence is glaringly obvious in the modern church. Although it has been summarily ruled out by God, it has been ruled in by the popular church. It has impacted the way they think, dress, sing, and meet together. The stench of the world is upon its programs, plans, and the exceedingly few things that it purposes to do. It thinks nothing of hiring the world's wise men to counsel them in the practical matters of their existence. It speaks more of this world and its various relationships than of the "things of the Spirit." The modern church often assigns more value to dealing with those who are of the world, than with its associations with the people of God.
If this is a proper assessment, then it confirms the carnality of such a church. As it is written, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit" (Rom 8:5). This is what people who are walking in the flesh do they "set their minds on the things of the flesh" (NKJV). Such people are a living contradiction to the Spirit's statement concerning those who are in Christ Jesus: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Rom 8:9). The clear implication is that the Holy Spirit is disassociated from the person who is living according to the flesh.
Let no one imagine this to be a unique circumstance, or a condition of no consequence! It is written, "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom 8:8). And again, "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom 8:13). I hardly see how it is possible for any condition to be more serious than this.
Those who are "after the Spirit" are living in accordance and harmony with the Holy Spirit, being willingly led by Him in the mortification of the "deeds of the body" (Rom 8:13). Their "affection" is set "on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col 3:2). In stark contrast to those who live "after the flesh , " the children of God conduct their lives as "strangers and pilgrims" in the earth, abstaining "from fleshly lusts that war against the soul" (1 Pet 2:11).
There were some in Corinth who did not think of Paul in this manner. To them he was really nothing more than a Saul of Tarsus who had changed some of his habits. Even though he did, in fact, speak the truth, they felt they were under no obligation to listen to it, much less obey it. Behold now the somber tones with which Paul speaks to such people. He will, in fact, declare war on them, and in no uncertain tones.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to never oppose Your word or those who deliver it.