2 Corinthians – Chapter 10

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12 – Paul was dealing with a petty problem with some in the Corinthian church. They we looking down on him due to outward appearances from a shallow relationship with him. From history we get the picture that Paul wasn’t some statue of a man, but instead a smaller guy, no real attractive appearance, and a humble posture when in person. Leaders, and some false teachers, were saying of Paul that he was two different types of guys, a bold man in his letters yet in person Paul was a lowly character. Essential saying, “Why follow someone who never backs up what he says, instead follow me!” What we see is that these Corinthians were judging Paul and his ministry by their own standards, comparing him with themselves and the other teachers they had around them. Where this landed them was division with Paul because he wasn’t matching up to their standards and the showy-ness of the other teachers. How the Corinthians should have compared Paul is how we ought to compare one another, which is with the word of the Lord. Paul was appointed by the Lord, and that should have been enough for the church. When we look at other believers, God’s word says they are holy, worthy of honor, loved by God, and commissioned just like we are. When we begin to look at another follow of Jesus through a different lens than that of God’s word, we’ll begin to see them much like the Corinthian church did with Paul…improperly and causing damage in our relationship with them. See one another through the word of the Lord. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3133

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 2 Corinthians 10:3 – Meaning we are in this fleshly world like everyone else is, but what we are battling against should be something different. The world is battling against one another, seeking fame and its glory, and things like that, yet for us who follow Christ that’s not what we should be battling against. Our war is against sin and evil. We should be fighting against the holds of sin that are in us still and the sin that is in the lives of those around us. While the victory of sin has been won in Jesus, evil and its working are still around us and our battle is to keep its influence out of our stories. Yet what if we get distracted and start fighting one another like the world does? We get our eyes off our real enemy and our defense is faced someone else. Remember who your real enemy is. It’s not your sibling, not your boss, not your spouse. It’s evil and the evil one. Make sure that is where your fighting is directed at. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac

Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 2 Corinthians10:11 – Can this be said of you? That what you tell others about yourself is actually how you live? Paul is having to remind his readers that while yes in his letters he comes across as a sharp leader with a passion of seeing people follow Jesus correctly, that’s who he really is in person even though some say otherwise. So what have you made others believe about yourself? That you say you care about certain things in people’s life, that you want people to come to Jesus, that Jesus is number one in your story. You say such things and want others to believe that this is who your really are, but is it who you really are? Make sure you choose to live like you want others to see you. If you claim to be a follower of Jesus, then actually follow Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 728

For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:14 – In this chapter Paul is having to defend his ministry to the church he’s writing to. In this passage he reminds them that one reason he gets, and sometimes has to be so bold with them is because he was the first to bring the gospel into their story. Maybe you hear that and think that could never be your story. Unless you sign up for one of those long mission trips to deep, dark Southern Asia or something you’d never get to be the first person to share the gospel with someone. You may think that, but boy would you be wrong! I’ve sat at a lunch table at Circle High School and got to explain what a church, what a pastor, and what a Bible was because the individual had no clue what they were. I’ve gotten the chance here in Augusta to sit down and tell people about Jesus and they had NEVER heard of the cross or what that all is about. This is here smack in the middle of the Bible belt of America! Meaning if you’re looking for people who don’t know anything about Jesus, you don’t have to look far. If God is telling you to go to Southern Asia, go (side not I just had one of my old youth kids do exactly that in response to God’s call). If though God is calling you to your next door neighbor, go. If you’re looking for people who don’t know Jesus and don’t have His forgiveness yet, simply open your eyes and you have your mission field. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2070