CARE: A DEMONSTRATION OF GRACE. 2nd Corinthians 13 It isn’t always right to smooth talk people to get them to make important changes in their lives. Serious, solemn warnings as to what is wrong and what needs to be done about it are the best way at times to get people to stop and consider what they are doing. The outcome of self-centered living will not be good in the end. Taking the time necessary to think about the changes we make and how they would affect the work of God, the people of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, will keep us from making wrong decisions.
When a person truly cares for others, that will be seen in a number of different ways. Faithful warnings are one way real, loving care is demonstrated. Paul gave such a warning to the believers at Corinth in writing, so they could examine themselves ahead of time in regard to the reality of their Christian testimony, and be prepared for a personal visit from him.
What is it you want to see – mighty miracles? Open your eyes look at yourselves and remember what you were before you heard the Gospel. Remember the hole you were in. The pit from which you could not escape. Recall the first time you heard the herald who called out the good news of salvation and deliverance. Think again about the moment the light of the Gospel shined into your soul as the Spirit of God revealed the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Savior, and imparted new life to you. YOU ARE PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING.
What is it you want to see – a charismatic speaker? Great swelling words are typical of those who are not telling the truth or who have “men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.” Words that are slickly put together are not always true words. The movers of audiences are not necessarily movers of men’s hearts. Plain, simple words that clarify the truth of the Gospel – words spoken from a heart of love for the souls of the listeners – words that impart light and life – words that bring “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” are THE PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING.
What is it you want to see – a great campaigner? Large retinues of people gathering around a skillful leader of people don’t give the proof that is needed. Crowds that jam the streets are very impressive and make observers consider the value of the message. Preachers asking for huge sums of money give the impression that much is being done here in the name of the Lord. Rich hucksters of the “other Gospels” seem to give proof of their effectiveness in the kingdom of God – but these great movements of men are not THE PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING.
What is it you want to see – a forceful general? Orders are loudly given that make people run and jump to obey the directives. Demands of instant and unquestioning obedience to act on them may give the impression that this man knows what he is talking about. The “do’s and don’ts” of his demands, urge people to do what he says or be lost. A legal form with its rules and regulations leaves the followers with a false confidence that all is well if they meet the demands. This is not THE PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING.
What is it you want to see – a dynamic personality? One who is able to rally people around his personality, seems to many, to be proof of his calling. He is able to blend all differences into a sort of collage of beliefs that includes everyone and makes everyone feels good. Such a personality must be, in the eyes of many, a man or woman sent from God. He seems to overcome all obstacles with his ardor and impetuosity. But – this is not THE PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING.
The results of a servant’s ministry: lives transformed through the power of God working through his preaching; souls saved who were in the darkness of sin but now living in the light of God’s truth; believers whose commitment to God’s word is obvious to all who hear them and see their zeal for good works; and on-going work of God in an area where much labor has been expended; the name and Person of the Lord Jesus Christ honored; submission to God’s will by those who have responded to the instruction passed on from the faithful servant – these are THE PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING through His servant. This kind of proof cannot honestly be denied.
Such an exhortation to genuinely repent is needed when things are wrong among God's people. Establishing and strengthening Christian testimony through corrective ministry is a divine principle. Truth has to be affirmed so that no one can mistake what it is and what must be done to return to a commitment to the truth. Look for proof of what is right, and expose false teaching and false teachers for what they are.
The facts are established when there are two or three witnesses to authenticate an action. A crucial witness every believer has regarding the validity of their choices is the Bible which is the scriptures of truth. “Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth.” The Spirit of God is another witness who guides us into all truth. The people of God who have experienced practicing the presence of God and applying the truth of God in their own lives are also witnesses.
Love has various ways of expressing itself. People generally like flattering words that gush out when some may say, “Oh, how I love you!” We don’t like it when we are warned of our misbehavior and we are told, “I must tell you this because I love you!” Even more so, love can be expressed in self-sacrifice for the benefit of others. Genuine love can be expressed without words by what is done without any open or public fanfare. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
To examine and determine the genuineness of one's profession of faith in Christ is done by comparing what we are like with the Lord Jesus Christ. Was He weak when He was on the cross? That is what the world looking on thought, but God's strength is "made perfect in weakness." The tests and standards of the world are not the standards of spiritual success. Christ humbled Himself and became obedient unto death. He appeared to be weak to those who were sinful and had darkened minds when He was crucified. Paul patterned his life after the Lord Jesus Christ and so the Corinthians thought he was weak.
He reminded them that though Jesus was crucified for what appeared to be a weakness, He was really strong and had the power to lay down His own life and the power to take it back again. They also needed to remember that it is the Lord Jesus Christ who exercises the judicial power of God because He is the Supreme Judge of the universe and every person will be judged by Him. The true servant humbles himself like his Master. That is not a weakness. There were false witnesses who testified against the Lord Jesus, and there are false witnesses who will speak against His servants. The reality of the Christian profession of such a person needs to be proved to see if whoever does such a thing has the life of God in him.
Each person needs to examine himself or herself to see if they are saved or not. False teaching is not evidence of divine life in a person. Is there evidence of the Holy Spirit bearing witness with your spirit as proof of your new life? Do you have love for God's people or are you one who is looking for flaws in them and their lives to justify your criticism? Is the life you live consistent in righteousness and is it a blessing to others? Have you been separated unto God from the world, or are you joining in with the ungodly? These tests as we examine ourselves need to be applied, lest one find out they are lost when it is too late to be saved.
If as a result of the Corinthian believers examining themselves in the searchlight of God's holiness, they found themselves to be genuine believers, then they would have to admit Paul was genuine in his apostolic authority because it was his message they believed when they heard the Gospel at the beginning, not that of the false apostles. Paul knew he was weak in himself, but by the power of God, he lived in Christ with the strength of God directed toward his spiritual children through him. He had God-given authority. Therefore, as one who truly cared for them, he challenged them to examine themselves to see if they were walking and living according to the Gospel they had professed to believe.
They were disqualifying themselves to be representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wanted them to apply the same standard to themselves that they were applying to him. If they did that, they would know if they were truly in Christ and they would know that Paul, who had led them to Christ, was a true apostle with divine authority behind him and his teaching. Paul’s concern was for those who were a result of his labor who had turned from “the faith” to those who had itching ears. His concern was not that he would be known to be a successful apostle. He wanted the Corinthian believers to be honorable and honest before God in spite of what they thought about him.
We measure a spiritual ministry by its content, not by the skill or method of delivery. In the past and also in the present, there are those who speak "great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage." Such apostasy needs to be confronted and exposed for what it really is. Christian character is a result of the truth that has been taught, affirmed, and lived out in the lives of believers. It is up to us to be godly so we can live godly. In the end, God's truth will always triumph, but it is sad when the lives of believers are wasted by following the charismatic approach of those "who speak evil of those things which they know not." These people are "spots in feasts of charity." They are like sunken rocks just under the surface of the water that tears out the bottom of a vessel and make it a shipwreck.
Paul was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ who warned the Corinthians of those "who should walk after their own ungodly lusts." He could only use his authority to support the truth which included the way of salvation and the will of God being carried out in the lives of believers in Christ. He didn’t need to prove anything to them and was glad to suffer their rejection if God through him would make them strong. He wanted them strong and complete in Christ in every aspect of their lives. In that way, the “broken bones” would be set right and there would be reconciliation between the saints of God. His authority was to build1 up and edify the Corinthians even if there had to be firm discipline.
In contrast to the sharp warnings Paul gave, was the assurance he gave them as an example of divine grace. It was himself, who in his final encouraging words, prayed for the maturity of his spiritual children. The sharply written words were sent so he would not have to use sharply spoken words when he came to them and had to speak to them personally. The writing was to build them up, not to put down fellow believers to their destruction. There are a number of ways the Lord ministers to His people. He does that through the truth of God ministered by those to whom the Holy Spirit has given a message. In our day we have the word of God in the scriptures. The Lord also ministers to us through the holy fellowship of His people who share " a like precious faith." He even ministers to our needs by allowing suffering to keep us from self-glory and pride. All of these ministries are to fit us for service.
A balanced ministry does not come from only one person or from isolating ourselves from the Lord's people. One of the purposes of a called-out company of saints is to provide them with the spiritual nourishment that they will not get by being isolated from other believers. The desire to "be left alone: I have my Bible and my God, and I don't need other Christians to help me grow" - attitude, is a sign of full-blown spiritual pride, which is probably the worst kind.
When God’s people are living as He intends, there will be a completeness that provides the comfort and strength needed for godly living. The minds of His people are focused on the Lord, His will, and His word rather than being distracted by the opinions of those who are always searching for truth or are satisfied with “their own truth.” When we are where we should be doing what we should and enjoying fellowship with God and His people, the God of love and peace will be with us and real to us. Our fellowship and joy which we share with God’s people will be demonstrated and other believers in other places will be appreciated and they will appreciate us.
The divine provision of unconditional grace extended to them made possible all they needed for correction and for living together in faith and fellowship. Grace, love, and peace are the results of responses we make toward God and His truth. To "be perfect" is a promise that maturity in the Christian life was, and still is, possible even after failure. Being "of good comfort" is an assurance of our security in Christ because of the riches of God's grace. To "be of one mind" in unity with other believers is not an impossible thing, but it can only happen if our focus of attention is on the same object.
In this case, it would be on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and the Gathering Center of the local church in His name alone. "Living in peace" is the harmony that results from the choices of the saints to commit themselves to being like Christ in our lives. When that happens His peace, which our Lord gave us is a reality we experience together. When these charges are real to us as a result of experiencing "the God of love and peace" in our personal and corporate assembly life will be assured. Fellowship with other believers will be a glad experience in which we can look each other in the eye and know this fellowship is affirmed.
Because of the love of God for us demonstrated through the saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ and His grace, we are forgiven and cleansed. That same grace of God makes possible the ongoing fellowship we have with God and His people. The communion of the Holy Spirit is the solution to the problems that divide and discourage God’s people. Every believer has the Holy Spirit in them giving them the power to live righteous lives that please God. It is through Him reconciliation between alienated believers takes place. He enables us to love and encourage one another. His grace is what is needed, not our own self-centered desires. We need His love in us, not anger against one another. By His power, there will be communion, not conflict.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is the basis of our relationship with each other and with the Savior. It is by His grace we are saved and by the knowledge of Him "grace and peace are multiplied. The love of God has established the fact that we are not our own. God's love in sending His Son has given Him the right of ownership over everyone He has saved by grace. "The communion of the Holy Ghost" is how fellowship is maintained between God's people.
When these things are with us, there is evidence of the grace of God seen in us that will enable us to understand, and perhaps endure things that happen to us like what happened to Paul. The affirmation principle, reviews for us what is real and important. it will separate us from, and empower us to reject, all the counterfeit messages that seek to turn us away from the truth of God. To affirm the principles of God's word in a perishing world is one of the reasons we are still here.
“O God and Father of all that believe: many voices are sounding around us here, but I give thanks that the Holy Spirit has given a discerning ear. I believe I know when I can hear Christ speaking through His servants and when it is only the skillful words of a well-trained speaker. So often there are many that are led astray by simple preferences. I desire to have always an ear tuned to the sound of faithful words spoken by faithful men, even though the words may be hard to bear. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”