Day By Day - 2 Corinthians 12
By John Horsburgh
Opening Thoughts:
This chapter makes me want to ask Paul just why he persisted with the Corinthians. He reminds them, yet again, of what he has done but also confirms to them that he was sent by God and that they are his children in the Lord. Most leaders will confirm their place by providing a C.V. – the list of where they have been and what they have achieved, but Paul lists his weaknesses instead. Many times I have found comfort in his brief report of the “thorn in his flesh”, although I struggle with the thought of being content with persecutions, insults and calamities which are part of the same thought.
1. I knew a man...
The chapter starts with Paul talking about a man who was caught up into the third heaven. Modern translations often say, “I was caught up” but the original language was, “I knew a man”. This man was most likely Paul himself but he remained guarded about it which fits with his desire to have Christ exalted and not himself.
When I was preparing to leave my church in Tumut, I was shortlisted for an interview with a church in Canberra that was seeking a new Pastor. During that interview, it was apparent that they were wanting to know about me and how I was going to impact their church – typical job interview – and though I would have liked the position, I knew it was not God’s place for me. Looking back, I would have liked to have commented on this chapter and told them to worry less about the person and seek for someone who would be prepared to sow their heart into the congregation.
Romans 12:3 and Philippians 2:3 when combined, says something along the lines of do not think more highly of yourself than you ought but value others above yourself - a genuine reflection of the life Paul lived.
2. Three times I prayed...
Paul’s thorn in the flesh - there are so many guesses as to what it was and though we have a logical reason to suspect his failing eyesight, we will never know. What is important is the response from God and then the manner in which Paul responded to God. I was once challenged by a man for praying for healing for a young man. His challenge was based on my own kidney disease and the reality that I needed to take medications to keep me healthy. I don’t know how many times I have prayed and been prayed for regarding this illness but it far exceeds three... and, over the years, I have been sustained by these words... “My grace is sufficient”. If I were unwilling to pray for others based on my own lack of health, I would not have seen the hand of God at work in the manner I have witnessed and would have stood rightfully accused of utter selfishness. Once again, we need to take self out of the centre and make sure that we have Christ securely enthroned as the driving force of our lives.
3. I am not a burden...
Paul’s desire to preach the Word was never slowed down by his need for financial support. Yes, the Word tells us that the worker deserves his wages, 1 Timothy 5:17-18, but that is a direction to the churches and not an argument to be used by the preacher to demand payment.
As a body, we need to be prepared to pay the pastors and teachers for the work that they do. The passage in 1 Timothy says they are worthy of a double portion but thank God for the tentmakers who are prepared to work to support themselves while they minister to small congregations. I have a special love for the men and women who are willing to sow themselves into small communities in order that the Word of God can be heard across the country. And yet, again, there is the thought that we need to be selfless and do all that we can for the sake of others.
Closing thoughts:
In a generation where the predominate feeling is about “me and my rights,” we need to stand back and acknowledge that we are called to be servants of God. In His life, Christ served humanity and now calls on us, His followers, to copy His example and to serve the people around us selflessly. No counting favours, no counting the cost; and following Paul’s example, no boasting of what we have done. From the Revival in Belfast, there was a simple song that should resonate in all our hearts... “Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have and ever hope to be...”
Opening Thoughts:
This chapter makes me want to ask Paul just why he persisted with the Corinthians. He reminds them, yet again, of what he has done but also confirms to them that he was sent by God and that they are his children in the Lord. Most leaders will confirm their place by providing a C.V. – the list of where they have been and what they have achieved, but Paul lists his weaknesses instead. Many times I have found comfort in his brief report of the “thorn in his flesh”, although I struggle with the thought of being content with persecutions, insults and calamities which are part of the same thought.
1. I knew a man...
The chapter starts with Paul talking about a man who was caught up into the third heaven. Modern translations often say, “I was caught up” but the original language was, “I knew a man”. This man was most likely Paul himself but he remained guarded about it which fits with his desire to have Christ exalted and not himself.
When I was preparing to leave my church in Tumut, I was shortlisted for an interview with a church in Canberra that was seeking a new Pastor. During that interview, it was apparent that they were wanting to know about me and how I was going to impact their church – typical job interview – and though I would have liked the position, I knew it was not God’s place for me. Looking back, I would have liked to have commented on this chapter and told them to worry less about the person and seek for someone who would be prepared to sow their heart into the congregation.
Romans 12:3 and Philippians 2:3 when combined, says something along the lines of do not think more highly of yourself than you ought but value others above yourself - a genuine reflection of the life Paul lived.
2. Three times I prayed...
Paul’s thorn in the flesh - there are so many guesses as to what it was and though we have a logical reason to suspect his failing eyesight, we will never know. What is important is the response from God and then the manner in which Paul responded to God. I was once challenged by a man for praying for healing for a young man. His challenge was based on my own kidney disease and the reality that I needed to take medications to keep me healthy. I don’t know how many times I have prayed and been prayed for regarding this illness but it far exceeds three... and, over the years, I have been sustained by these words... “My grace is sufficient”. If I were unwilling to pray for others based on my own lack of health, I would not have seen the hand of God at work in the manner I have witnessed and would have stood rightfully accused of utter selfishness. Once again, we need to take self out of the centre and make sure that we have Christ securely enthroned as the driving force of our lives.
3. I am not a burden...
Paul’s desire to preach the Word was never slowed down by his need for financial support. Yes, the Word tells us that the worker deserves his wages, 1 Timothy 5:17-18, but that is a direction to the churches and not an argument to be used by the preacher to demand payment.
As a body, we need to be prepared to pay the pastors and teachers for the work that they do. The passage in 1 Timothy says they are worthy of a double portion but thank God for the tentmakers who are prepared to work to support themselves while they minister to small congregations. I have a special love for the men and women who are willing to sow themselves into small communities in order that the Word of God can be heard across the country. And yet, again, there is the thought that we need to be selfless and do all that we can for the sake of others.
Closing thoughts:
In a generation where the predominate feeling is about “me and my rights,” we need to stand back and acknowledge that we are called to be servants of God. In His life, Christ served humanity and now calls on us, His followers, to copy His example and to serve the people around us selflessly. No counting favours, no counting the cost; and following Paul’s example, no boasting of what we have done. From the Revival in Belfast, there was a simple song that should resonate in all our hearts... “Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have and ever hope to be...”
Posted in 2 Corinthians