A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE There is a nugget of truth nestled in this text that must be seen. Paul had gone to Troas to preach the Gospel, and a door was opened for him to do so. Yet, in deference to the Corinthian situation, he left Troas, seeking the means to establish the Corinthians, rather than continuing on in Troas. In other words, he deemed it of greater importance to stabilize those who were already in Christ than make new converts. However you may choose to review the passage before us, this is a conclusion you will not be able to avoid. -- 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 13 of 24
I readily acknowledge that this flies squarely into the face of the mentality of the modern church. In fact, I have heard a significant number of preachers and teachers actually criticize those who seek to build up the saints, while appearing to neglect, what is called, "evangelism." Countless people have heard the "get-outside-of-these-walls-and-go-into-the-community" sermon, so common in our time. It all sounds right to the spiritually untrained mind. But you did not find Jesus leaving His disciples in deference to the multitudes – not even a single time. His choice and prolonged exposure was to His disciples. His explanations were to His disciples.
This must not be construed to be an objection to preaching the Gospel to every creature, and making disciples of all men. After all, the King Himself has commanded that this be done (Matt 28:28- 20; Mk 16:15-16). Of course, if men are really interested in what Jesus said, He also said, "Feed my lambs," "Feed my sheep," and "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). I cannot help but wonder why these eager institutional beavers are strangely silent concerning that commission.
The EMPHASIS has been placed upon the body of Christ – its edification and comfort (Eph 4:11-16). That is the reason for ALL of the spiritual gifts. "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph 4:11-12). "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant . . . Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" [the "common good" of the body] (1 Cor 12:1-7 NASB).
Although this is not a common perception, it ought to be clear to us. The body of Christ is the means through which Jesus exclusively works. The church is "His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all" (Eph 1:23). That is where He deposits His grace, and His "fulness," of which we have "all received" (John 1:16). The church is the solitary custodian of the truth – "the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim 3:15). If it is weak and emaciated, truth will "fall in the streets," just as it did with Israel (Isa 59:14). If that kind of church goes forth into all the world, they will only accomplish what the scribes and Pharisees did. Of them Jesus said, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" (Matt 23:15).
Settle it in your heart, it is not possible to live by faith and neglect the will of the Lord or be spiritually dead (Heb 10:38). It is not possible to walk in the Spirit and still fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal 5:16). It is not possible to be "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might," and yet fail to do God's will (Eph 6:10). It is not possible to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, without God working in you "both to will and to do of His own good pleasure" (Phil 2:12-13). It is not possible to live unto Him who died for us, and still live unto ourselves (2 Cor 5:15). It is not possible to be "dead with Christ" and not be raised by God to live with Christ in the newness of life (Rom 6:4-5).
A mature church cannot remain unspiritual, disobedient, slothful, lukewarm, or slow of heart. It simply cannot be done! If the church can ever be "grow up into Christ in all things" (Eph 5:15), it will do what it right. Such a church, even if it is scattered by persecution, will go "everywhere, preaching the Word" (Acts 8:4).
That is why Paul earnestly sought the stability of the church. It is why he spent a considerable, if not the majority, of his time visiting the churches, ensuring that they were built up (Acts 15:36). It is why he wrote Epistles to the churches. Now, in our text, this is why he took his leave from Troas, and went to Macedonia. It was in interest of the body of Christ that He did so. May God raise such men in our generation! May multitudes of godly men be found throughout the world, who have a heart for the saints of God. After all, they are the appointed bride of Christ what could possibly justify the neglect of such a people?
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, purge from your church professed leaders who have no dominating concern for it.