Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 131-133; 2 Corinthians 10
Devotional Thought:
Paul was under attack from the Judaizers regarding his letters to the Corinthian church. There accusation was that Paul was authoritative and strong in his letters, but he was weak and pathetic in person. Therefore, he was willing to write letters, but unwilling to come and see them in person. Paul addresses the accusation, “That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” (vs. 9-10) Paul explains to the Corinthian church that it was imperative that they elevate the word of God as their final authority. There would be entanglements from the flesh, the world, and the Devil. They would need to use the word of God as a filter as to how they should think and therefore act. Paul makes it clear that although we are in the flesh we do not respond or react in the flesh. We must run to the Bible to see what our options are regarding our actions and reactions. “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; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” (vs. 5-6) The word for imaginations is “reasons.” We must cast down the reasons that our flesh, the world, or the devil gives to us to be disobedient and filter them through what the Bible says. Then we must bring each thought back to the obedience to the word of God. We must allow the Bible to tell us how to think. Paul makes the case for the legitimacy of his letters, and the credibility that was manifested through his actions. He was not asking anything of them that was not already apparent in his own life. (vs. 7-11) Paul exhorts these Corinthians to compare themselves to Christ and the word of God and not among each other. “For we dare not…compare ourselves with some that commend themselves…and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (vs. 12) Our job as Christians is to band together for the cause of Christ. We are not to be comparing ourselves or competing among ourselves, but rather complementing each other and helping one another to accomplish the will of God. We work together “to preach the gospel to the regions beyond you… but he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (vs. 16-17) It is not nearly as important that people will commend us, but rather that we would live the life that Christ will commend on judgment day.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to live for you. To be motivated to live a life of holiness before you and for you.
• Lord, thank you for the reminder that people say what they want, but you are the final authority in my life. I must get my instructions for how I act and react from your word. Please help me to never get caught up with what people think, but to be completely motivated by what you know.