I say again, let no
one think me a fool.
If otherwise, at
least receive me as a fool,
that I also may boast
a little.
What I speak, I speak
not according to the Lord,
but as it were,
foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
Seeing that many
boast according to the flesh,
I also will
boast. Before you put up with fools
gladly,
since you yourselves
are wise! For you put up with it
if one brings you
into bondage, if one devours you,
if one takes from
you, if one exalts himself,
if one strike she won
the face. To our shame I say
that we were too weak
for that! But in whatever
anyone is bold -- I
speak foolishly -- I am bold also.
2 Corinthians 11: 16
-- 21
This study
sees Paul having to defend himself against those who would condemn him for his
past. If one boasts of themselves this
is more than just a sign of a proud mind, this is also a mark of folly. Paul says that if he was counted to have
folly in himself in regards to boasting a little, what was more important was
that they give due regard to what he had said and taught. Paul would not have the Corinthians or you
could think of boasting, or glorying, is commanded by Jesus Christ: verse
17. It is the duty and practice of
Christians to humble and abase themselves, in obedience to the command an example
of Christ. Furthermore, prudence must
direct in what circumstances it is needful to do that which we may do lawfully,
and even speaking of what God has done for us, in our past, and in our present life. How often were the apostles accused of being
an educated, just common folk, and were denounced as unfit to speak the
truth. You too may have and are having
to face accusations pointing to your past when all you are doing is attempting
to not allow your past to define your present or your future. Your Christianity may have come under
question. Many people will point
fingers at you and point out how bad you were and what you're doing now is
only an attempt to justify your life, and may even be an attempt to rectify your
past. The past may give us some answers
but the past is the past and should not govern your present or your
future. Your future if you are truly an
Authentic Christian is an eternal life and that should be your guide. Some people will never understand your
change in your attitude and in your life and your desire to follow the commands
of the Bible. Do not to let others
opinions guide your life when you are doing everything in your power to follow
the instructions: "And do not
present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present
yourself to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments
of righteousness to God" (Romans 6: 13). Think of this: you were once dead in your sins but you are now alive
risen from the dead and you know this is true and you will know that this is
true when you present your members as instruments of righteousness to God. The Corinthians had fallen back into false
practices and false beliefs were being led by those who would mislead them in
to another gospel and Paul was here not only defending himself by defending the
word of God he preached to them. There
are those who today preach that you can save yourself if only you'd just
believe, the Bible does not teach that.
You cannot save or sanctify yourself; you cannot atone for sin; you
cannot redeem the world; you cannot make right what is wrong, pure what is
impure, holy what is unholy. Why? All of this is the sovereign work of God. God saves and when you have responded to the
call of God by the faith given to you from Him this is done not because of anything you have done, rather your faith is in what Jesus Christ has
done. Jesus Christ made a perfect
atonement, do you realize this, and are you constantly realizing is? The great need for a Christian is not to do
things, but to believe things. What
things are you to believe? The
redemption of Jesus Christ and that it is not an experience, this is the
greatest act of God which He has performed through the Only Begotten Son Jesus
Christ, and on that you have the need to build your faith. If you construct your faith on your
experience, and that would also mean your past and constantly recalling and testifying in regards to your past as though you have done something
special as though you did it yourself, you only produce a very un-scriptural
type, an isolated life, and your eyes will be fixed on your own whiteness. Beware, of the piety that has no
presupposition in the atonement of the Lord.
There is no use in this for anything but for you to have a sequestered
life; it is useless to God and a nuisance to man. Measure every type of experience by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. We cannot do anything pleasing to God unless
we deliberately build on the presupposition of the atonement. This atonement of Jesus Christ has to work
out in your practical, unobtrusive ways in your life. Think about this: if you obey, absolute Deity is on your side and
this is where the grace of God and your natural obedience coincide. Obedience means that you have banked
everything on the atonement, and that your obedience is met immediately by the
delight of the supernatural grace of God.
You may be condemned, misunderstood, but do not let this detract you
from absolute obedience to God there may be consequences that may come either
positive or negative but rest upon the grace of God. Your home is eternity you are just passing through live now for
the Savior whom you say you have converted to and believe in for your
salvation.
Remember your Creator
before the silver cord is loosed,
or the Golden bowl is broken,
or the
pitcher shattered at the fountain,
or the will broken at the well.
Them the
dust will return to the earth as it was,
and the spiritual return to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes
12: 6 -- 7
Fear God and keep His commandments
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