September 8 - 2 Corinthians 10:1-18 - Battle Fronts

In April of 1942, America was being stretched to its limit as she strove to turn back enemies on two fronts. Simultaneous campaigns in Europe and the Pacific tested the will and resources of our nation. President Roosevelt showed his understanding of the toll of war in all its dimensions when he said, “One front, where everyone in the United States is in action – every man, woman, and child. That front is right here at home, in our daily lives.” Yes, the war had its domestic impact and no one was immune. It was a war on three fronts.

Paul appears to be waging a war on many fronts during the time of his writing to the Corinthians. He wages a spiritual war as he presses the gospel of Christ into uncharted territory. He was assigned a mission field by God, and as he found success in one city, his vision was to expand that faith-base into the surrounding regions. This was a war against prevailing theologies, philosophies and superstitions; “arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.”

A battle raged on in the mind of Paul. Each of his thoughts would have to be captured, like a thousand insurgents turned POWs, and made to surrender to Jesus. Thankfully, he had an arsenal of divine origin and power.

Then there was the most unfortunate war of all – the combat with his own brethren. The third front. The war at home. Accused of being a coward, Paul was labeled as ‘bold’ when away, but ‘timid’ face-to-face. “His letters pack a wallop, but he is impotent in person.” Paul denies the accusation. There is no cowardice, and there is no inappropriate boldness. When he boasts, he boasts in the Lord. And in spite of all the judgment from his myopic brothers, he knows that all that matters is the commendation of Christ.

Devoted Christian, church leader, do you tire of waging war on multiple fronts? When running against the grain of the world system, do you wish that you had better encouragement from fellow believers? When trying to cope with the “eastern and western theatres,” do you wish your thoughts wouldn’t lead you astray? This is why it’s so important that we be in association. We must have comrades in arms. We must have someone to help bandage our wounds; someone to lean on, so that even when we are weary we may move forward. We must have someone to remind us that our weapons are forged and honed in heaven; that we ourselves are tools of triumph wielded by the Everlasting Arm.

Pray: God, my Rock, my Fortress, Defender and Shield , give me peace amidst the battle. I am weary of warring. I encounter resistance at every turn; even in my own mind and heart. Make me a soldier of the cross, earning Your commendation through unrelenting obedience.

August 8 - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 - Son of Scum

Out in Denver, Colorado there is a church called Scum of the Earth. And their newsletter is called Rubbish. It’s not that they have horrible self-esteem. They’re just identifying with what the Apostle Paul said in today’s passage about people who really take their servant/missionary calling seriously. You see, Paul and those like him had painfully experienced the ridicule of the world that came with their counter-cultural mission. As we read in yesterday’s text, the Jews thought the Christians were a scandal and the Greeks thought they were fools. In obedient fulfillment to their mission calling, they found themselves hungry, thirsty, poorly clothed and homeless. They were brutalized, cursed, persecuted and slandered. They were regarded, “the scum of the earth.” But they stayed diligent, merciful and kind. They pressed forward in faith because they served a divine trust and knew the final assessment of their work was in God’s hands.

Unfortunately, many of the Corinthian Christians lived in comfort and had become arrogant in it. How frustrating and heart-breaking this was for Paul. He was a spiritual parent to them. Through his mission labors he had birthed this church. And now his spiritual children were bearing little resemblance to their faithful father. Some of you Christian parents, church planters and pastors know how this feels. And so we hear both the affection and aggression of Paul. “My dear children, I’ve warned you, and now I’m coming to confront you, and we’ll see what your arrogance gets you when we are face to face!” “Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love …?”

To some degree, we can understand the Corinthians’ resistance to follow in Paul’s footsteps.  After all, who wants to be ‘son of Scum’?  But what Paul has demonstrated, and what he is sending Timothy to Corinth to reinforce, is that his way of life is consistent with the gospel he teaches. Paul is a trustworthy servant-leader with integrity!

When the Lord, and no one else, makes the final assessment of our Christian lives, He won’t be looking to reward a full refrigerator, or fine clothes, or arrogance. Jesus will reward service, faithfulness and integrity.

Pray: Lord, sometimes it gets really hard to serve you. It seems you’ve called us to be fish out of water. We strive in your direction while so many move against us in the direction of the world. When I compromise my faithfulness and integrity, I feel less uncomfortable; it takes the edge off the struggle. But I know that’s not what you want. Help me to be obedient, regardless of how others may regard me. Help me to be humble and bold at the same time. I am willing to be a ‘fool’ for you, Christ.