The Devotional – 1102 – Foot Steps in Second Corinthians, On Going

The Devotional – 1102 – Foot Steps in Second Corinthians, On Going

What is the purpose of going to church? Maybe I should develop a spreadsheet since if we want to be truthful the answer to that question would be many, yet only one answer is TRUE while all the others are simply FALSE. Actually (my father hated that word, actually!) I guess that is why I use it! Actually some of us go to church to be the best dressed, to observe others, to seek out the likeminded sinner, to talk sports, to yada, yada, and yada. The list of reasons are not passive but very active and in our heart. Now, the truth! We should go to church for this one purpose – “But sanctify the LORD God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” 1 Peter 3:15. The first few words of the verse can easily be translated as this. “To set apart Christ as LORD!” The apostle puts this thought in other words that are found in Romans 13:14 – But put on the LORD Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. To go to church for any other reason is to fulfill the lust of the flesh. Maybe some do not know what the lust of the flesh is? It is SIN.

CHALLENGES & COMMENTS – 2 Corinthians 10:12-17

What encouragement is gained if we compare ourselves with others? Actually nothing is gained! The Apostle Paul clearly understands this as he says that he and his ministry dare not classify or compare themselves to those who measure themselves by themselves. To do so would be bringing their godly ministry to a lower level of human viewpoint, he says to do this would not be wise.

Is boasting wise? Solomon says that there is a season for everything under heaven and yet the one who compares one with another cannot be found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, but please be aware that the potential for boasting is in all things under the sun. Cannot I throw rocks better, than you! Did I not gain a better report card, than you! I love you more, than you love me and so on.

Yes the apostle can boast of earthly accomplishment, but he has said that he counts all of this as rubbish as he says in Philippians 3:8 – “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my LORD, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ”. Paul’s earthly credentials are very impressive, but he says that the knowledge of Christ his LORD, far exceeds any human comparison.

So I believe we should be careful when we seek to place human limitations on the people of God. The sometimes casual or critical comments about others too others are more often unrepairable. On the other hand, if there is to be any boasting it should not be self-initiated. As the scriptures also say, “let another praise you and not your own mouth… Proverbs 27:2.

If we are going to boast about anything or if we are going to glory over things or circumstances of life, then these things ought first to be found as a response to the grace of God in one’s life. We have all done a little boasting but I can only vouch for me in this, you will have to do your own scan. In searching my mind I am confident that while I have experienced much in life I have always sought to see the LORD’s grace at work through it all. As the apostle Paul we ought not to commend ourselves as approved, but whom the LORD commends, these we approve. Therefore filter everything through the grace of God and there will be no room for self-boasting.