WHEN OTHERS DON'T UNDERSTAND
Do we sometimes feel unfairly criticized? The apostle Paul also felt that. Paul wasn’t bragging, but he felt compelled to explain himself:
4…as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots [yes, even that]; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love… 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 …beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing... 2 Corinthians 6:4-6, 8-10.
Let’s say Paul went through a lot! Amazing!
What was his point? He wanted to clear the air and give a defense to those whom he served. He wanted them to see how things really were. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you… 13 …I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also… 2 Corinthians 6:11, 13.
What’s in this for us to learn today? Are we as “servants of God” perhaps being misunderstood even by other believers, or, perhaps, especially by other believers? Are there ways we can “commend ourselves” to them? And, are there “servants of God” we should not be criticizing but commending instead?
4…as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots [yes, even that]; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love… 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 …beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing... 2 Corinthians 6:4-6, 8-10.
Let’s say Paul went through a lot! Amazing!
What was his point? He wanted to clear the air and give a defense to those whom he served. He wanted them to see how things really were. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you… 13 …I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also… 2 Corinthians 6:11, 13.
What’s in this for us to learn today? Are we as “servants of God” perhaps being misunderstood even by other believers, or, perhaps, especially by other believers? Are there ways we can “commend ourselves” to them? And, are there “servants of God” we should not be criticizing but commending instead?
by Bob Busenitz, Elder
Posted in Read Through the Bible
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