A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE -- Tomorrow:
"Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place." (2 Cor 2:12-14)
Devotion 5 of 24
FURTHERMORE
"Furthermore . . . "
"FURTHERMORE!" This word is an interesting one. It denotes a continuance of thought, which presumes what follows is related to what has already been said. Grammatically, this word is a disjunctive connecting two tributaries of thought. It means "but, moreover, by way of opposition or distinction" (THAYER). It is like a transition to another matter but not one that is unrelated to what has been said before. It is like turning a jewel and viewing another facet of it – the jewel being life in Christ Jesus, and the facet being the activity of Paul.
This will confirm that Paul's life was not wrapped up in the Corinthians. Christ was his focus, not the people to whom he ministered. It was that focus that moved him to deal with the Corinthians as he did.
Even when godly men deal with specific people and issues relating to them, the people themselves are not the real point. Christ is always the point! He is the point with God, and He must be the point with us. The mind of the flesh will reason that this is a deterrent to personal interests. But this is not a proper assessment. Actually, when Christ is the primary consideration, and His words and objectives are seen as fundamental, our interests are best served.
It is to be acknowledged that a career – even a Christian career – cannot be built upon such a premise. God, however, is not in the business of building careers!
There are certain pillars of reason that unite all valid thoughts, words, and activities – perceptions that tend to knit all valid thoughts together. Allow me to mention some of them. This, in my judgment, is critical to benefitting from this text. Also, these pillars of reason may be applied to any circumstance of life.
1. Salvation involves a new and different life – one that brings glory to God.
2. Sin is never in proper or excusable in the life of the believer. It is always interruptive and destructive.
3. The aim is to get through this world without being contaminated by it.
4. Spiritual life cannot be maintained while violating the will of the Author of that life.
5. The spread of the Gospel is impacted by the conduct of those who have embraced it.
6. Nothing is good that hinders spiritual life.
7. Nothing is bad that promotes spiritual life.
8. This world is not the main world, and thus must not be held as primary.
9. All men will eventually stand before the Lord Jesus to give an account of themselves.
10. The main purposes are the ones relating to spiritual life.
11. No part of our lives is unrelated to our heavenly calling.
12. What God is doing is the main thing.
There are many other similar perspectives, but these will suffice to make the point. What Paul now says was impacted by his consideration of these, and other, pivotal matters.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that spiritual life is attended by a holy rationale.