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In Order. Aggressive Help

December 6, 2017. 2 Corinthians 10-13.

 

Lies and half-truths concerning you.  

Your motives questioned as being unsavory. 

Ever had this happen to you?  Ever had someone outright lie about you?  Ever had someone declare a half-truth about you?  Ever had someone attack your motives as being less than upright?  If you have, then what Paul wrote in his letter to the believers at Corinth probably elicited a “you tell ‘em, Paul” as you read today’s passage.

But sprinkled throughout is the reason he is writing in such a harsh way.  That reason for harshness is not about him.  Sure, he defends his apostleship.  Sure, he challenges their perception of him being weak.  And yes he sarcastically attacks their foolishness.  In all these there is one overriding concern that causes him to do whatever is necessary to get through to them.

2Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. (NASB)

Paul’s not providing us with justification for defending ourselves, challenging wrong perceptions about us or sarcastically attacking the foolishness of others.  What he is providing us with is how intensely important it is for us to jealously and aggressively help a fellow believer who is under attack from Satan.  That is why they are behaving the way they are behaving.  They are being led away from the simplicity and purity of their devotion to Jesus Christ their Lord.

How many times have you seen this happening to a friend, a fellow church member or a loved one?  You clearly see how they are being deceived by Satan’s craftiness away from their devotion to their Savior.  Maybe, like Paul is experiencing, it has resulted in negative behavior toward you. Well, here is what you can do.  Jump into the fray kicking and screaming. But don’t battle for yourself.  Battle for them so that the conclusion of this letter will once again be true for their life.

2Corinthians 13:11,14 Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you……The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Is there someone in your life who at this time is being deceived and therefore is not complete, not of good comfort, not living in peace or the love and peace of God?  Are they obviously missing out on the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God and a wonderful fellowship with the Holy Spirit?  Well, begin today to do what you would want someone to do for you if you were in this position of being deceived – seek direction from God in order to jealously and aggressively help this person. 

Robert McClendon

Bob McClendon grew up in Pennsylvania, spent most of his adulthood in Colorado, and is now ready to learn how to be a Texan. He married his high school sweetheart, Tracy, in 1975. They have two...more