Daily Devotional in II Corinthians 10


Daily Nugget:
Paul, like so many Christians even today, faced some opposition from other Christians. Some in the churches that he spoke at questioned his apostleship, and others accused him of walking in the flesh (vs. 2). No matter the accusation, Paul chose not to fight back. He chose not to fight those who were carnal with his own carnal retorts. He chose to let his works for the Lord speak for themselves, and let the Lord do the rest of the battling (vss. 4-8).

Everyone that attends a church has someone falsely accuse him of something or else has
his feelings hurt at least once. No church is perfect. It is a God-commanded assembly of believers, and it may have mostly Christians in attendance, but none of them are perfect. Some members of the church family are more carnal than others. They see things from a fleshly perspective and not how God sees them (vs. 5). To make matters worse they often voice their opinions about other members. When this is done, someone usually gets hurt.

Too many, unfortunately, get wind of what was said about them and leave the church — never to darken the church doors again. My first thought is usually, “Who would be behind such a move of leaving a church for the wrong reasons — God or Satan?” It certainly would not be of God to disobey his command (Hebrews 10:24-25) to assemble with other believers; yet people leave churches all the time for the wrong reasons.

There have been times that we also have had things said about us by other church family members. The false accusations hurt us deeply, but we remembered that we were not in attendance for them, but for God. He wanted us to stay, and we did. It was a hard time, and much praying was done on our part. We never missed a meeting, however, and we kept at the work the Lord had for us.

Over time, we looked around and noticed that we had our nose to the grindstone doing what God had laid on our hearts, but our accusers were no longer in attendance. God does take care of his own, but that does not mean that there will not be difficulties.

Paul stayed and did what God told him to do, and God used him greatly. His accusers’ names are not even mentioned in the Bible, but Paul is still remembered. Be a “Paul”. Purpose in your heart whom you will serve and then let the Lord handle the light work!

Today’s Thought: Hopefully, you didn't go to church for "feelings," so don't leave if they get hurt. You should be going to church to be obedient to the Lord!

Today’s Reading: II Corinthians 10
1 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:
2 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.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 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;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
7 ¶ Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
12 ¶ For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. (KJV)

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