READ: 2 Corinthians 10 - 11.
Verses chosen for
meditation: 2 Cor 10: 17-18, 11:5 - 6.
2 Cor 10: 17-18.
17 But, “Let the one who
boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who
commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
2 Cor 11:5 -
6.
5 I do not think I am in
the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” 6 I may indeed be untrained as a
speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly
clear to you in every way.
REFLECT
Today if Apostle Paul were to present his CV (resume), it will be the
most impressive one ever seen. Not only he had plenty to boast about before his
conversion, but he had even more to boast about his life after knowing Christ.
Before his conversion, Paul was violently persecuted the followers of
Jesus (Gal 1:13-14). He was probably the “top agent” in arresting believers and
put them to prison or tortured them to death. After knowing Christ, he was
transformed and proclaimed himself to be the servant and apostle of the Gospel.
Yet in 2 Cor 11, we read that Paul had to defend his apostleship, which he called
it “folly”. The Corinthian believers rejected him as an Apostle of Jesus Christ.
They despised Paul’s image of weakness, not charismatic and unimpressive in appearance
(cf. 2 Cor 10:7 - short in stature, not macho at all!).
In his defence, Paul considered himself not at all inferior to the most eminent
apostles there. Nevertheless, the Corinthian believers thought otherwise because
Paul was unable to speak like a “polished’ speaker. (2 Cor 11:5-9). Sadly, the
eminent and super apostles were the ones Corinthian Christians preferred over
Paul. Instead of spending time over their preferences, Paul was more
concerned with faithfully preaching the gospel.
Adding on, the troublemakers among the Corinthian Christians who stirred
up contention against Paul didn’t only attack Paul. They also attacked our Lord
Jesus by preaching another Jesus. Hence, Paul had to warned against these
false apostles amongst them (Chapter 11:1-14).
RELATE
Some of today’s eminent and eloquent preachers preach entertaining, inspirational
and motivating sermons. Unfortunately, some preach with self-interest instead
of preaching Christ. When Paul said that he may boast a little, it is easy to
sense his hesitancy to promote himself. He was earnest to boast himself stating
his credentials as a true apostle of Christ who was more anxious to preach Jesus
as Lord, 2 Cor 4:5.
2 Cor 10:22-33 recorded how Paul boasted his apostolic credentials in “suffering”.
He was a true-blue Israelite, the seed of Abraham, more than enough to qualify
him as an apostle. He was tortured, imprisoned many times, and experienced all
kinds of mishaps including a shipwreck. Yet instead of receiving blessings for his
wonderful Gospel work, he suffered for it. Honestly as an elite Israelite, Paul need not
suffer all these but could have lived on with life as an intellectual rabbi and a Pharisee.
In actual, Paul suffered all for the cause of Christ, but he did not claim
his “rights”. Instead of having less, Paul declared that he had gained so much
more. He trusted not in any natural gifts such as strong personality, leadership,
physical attractiveness, musical or speaking ability to qualify as a servant of
Christ. Instead, he trusted solely in Christ to use him according to God’s plan.
That is where Paul boldly declared that whatever were gains to him, now he considered
loss for the sake of Christ. The things that he had lost were considered
garbage, now that he had found a new beginning and new experience in Christ (Phil
3:7-8).
We don’t boast because we belong to the intellectual, we read theology or
stand up as a charismatic leader, a great vocalist, a gifted preacher with thousands
of followers. Neither do we boast any of our sacrifices for Christ because we count
it a privilege serve Him. But friends today, we can affirm and declare that we
are who we are only by the grace of God, having the “credentials” as one who has
found life, security, joy and wisdom in Jesus Christ.
REST
Teach me Lord,
to boast in the things that show my weakness. I want to submit my life to the
destiny that You have planned for me.
Sharing a song, “Jesus Have It All” by Jeremy Riddle.
https://open.spotify.com/track/23jmZ11lImNxh6q7z11NNy?si=6e8f051ae75742b3
Vincent
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