Day 66 - 2Corinthians 10-13

In preaching through Ephesians 6 recently, I've been reminded about the spiritual warfare that we fight every day. In chapter 10, Paul addresses this warfare. It is good to remind ourselves not only that we are in a battle, but that the means to victory come from God. If we fight this battle in the power of the flesh, we will most certainly be defeated. Our weapons are not of the flesh, but on the other hand, they have divine power (10:4)! Therefore, victory is not only possible, but it is certain if we fight God's way!

As Paul "boasts" of his credentials as an apostle, it is interesting that he chooses to use his persecution as "proof" (11:23-27). What seems like a detriment to the average onlooker, Paul uses as his badge of authenticity of being an apostle of Jesus Christ. This really is the way that we should view hardships that we endure for the cause of Christ--not as marks of shame, but rather as badges of honor!

Chapter 12 records Paul's description of his "thorn in the flesh." This gives us a number of insights. First, not all requests we make to the Father are answered in the way that we would choose. Second, in the midst of trials that God allows in our lives, He also gives sufficient grace so that we may be able to endure. Third, when we are "weak" and yet overcome, God gets the glory for our accomplishments because it apparent that we are not the reason for the success. My father-in-law recently reminded me that our lives as Christians should be lived in such a way that it requires a supernatural explanation. That is where Paul lived his life.

Before Paul closes this epistle, he gives a command that all of us must give ear to. It comes in 13:5 - "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith." This is quite a bit different than the all too often encouragement to "look back and remember when you made your profession of faith." The reality is that it doesn't really matter how well you can remember the day and events when you made a profession of faith, what really matters is how you are living your life today. Are you bearing fruit? Do have a passion to know God better? Do you love Jesus Christ more than anything or anyone else? Is an attitude of repentance the aroma of your life? Do you love other believers? These and so many other things are the proofs that there is true spiritual life in you, not simply that you can recite the date and time and sequence of events when you made a profession of faith! Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith!