Paul’s boastings in Christ
Key Verses: 5, 8, 14, 22, 30
Paul is very concerned that the Corinthian believers are being deceived by a false teacher. They are too accepting of new ideas. Sounds a lot like today’s world, always searching for something new and exciting to believe. The self-help and advice-givers abound today, always coming up with some new way to be happy, successful, rich, safe, secure…. The list goes on and on. Paul wonders why they will accept everyone else’s message, but not the simple truth of the Gospel which changed their lives.
Paul bent over backwards to serve the Corinthians, and now they throw that fact in his face. He served them so that there would be nothing that could hinder their reception of the message. No price tag was attached to the Gospel. Jesus had already paid the price, and Paul knew he didn’t deserve that payment. He was accused of preaching for profit. There are lots of preachers, and others selling all sorts of ‘sure things’, and doing it for the wrong reasons. They are getting rich based on lies, and half truths. Look at their lives. Are they living the life of a rich person? If they are, chances are they are lying about something. The many “crashes” have show us just how much of life here in the West is based on borrowing from tomorrow. So many masquerade a lifestyle they really can’t afford. The false teachers masqueraded as people who cared. Paul truly cared.
Paul lists very good reasons why he could be proud and boastful. Even his sufferings demonstrate his dedication to serving Christ. Read the list again (vv22-29). He was dedicated to the task of serving, even if it meant his death. He did not back away from his calling when things got tough. He continued to serve, even in the face of deadly force. There are millions of Jesus-followers around the world today who are facing these kinds of attacks. It is also happening here in the States. Click here to see a report and video from Dearborn, Michigan. Paul was willing to take a stand, even in the face of violent opposition.
To the outside world, not retaliating is a sign of weakness. Paul doesn’t mind being called weak. In his weakness Christ’s strength shines through. Do you want to be seen as strong? Or do you want Christ to be seen as strong? Sometimes this is the choice we must make and act accordingly, even if it means persecution.
The Arnold Journey 