2nd Corinthians 1:1-11 THE COMFORT OF GOD Right from the beginning of the church in all parts of the world where the Gospel is preached there were conflicts motivated by Satan and satanic influences that for generations had their way in the darkness of the world. In Corinth, the same as in Jerusalem, Antioch, the churches in Asia and Galatia there were struggles by God's faithful servants against false teachers, heresies, false accusations, deception and misleading brethren. The problems of affirmation of the truth are still with us today, and will be until the end of this age. Satan is determined to stop God's people because he could not stop Christ from doing His Father's will. Now it is our turn to affirm the principles of the ministry we have received. It will not be easy. If it was it would be a false spurious ministry.
Paul and Timothy knew their calling and the roles they were to fill in preaching the Gospel and establishing biblically sound New Testament assemblies. The was no question in their minds as to what they were called to do and who was the Source of their strength and comfort. Confidence in God and the work to which He has called us does not depend in the ease of the circumstances. In times of difficulty the needed grace and peace to pass through them in faith, comes from our heavenly Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ. We will not necessarily be release from the tensions and trials that accompany a work for God, but we will find what we need when we remember what He is to us. He blessed us in the past [Eph.1:3]; He is our Living Hope as it relates to the future [1Pet.1:3]; and He comforts us in the present [2Cor.1:3].
Our God is the Originator of all mercies. It is of His "mercies" we are not consumed. He has demonstrated to us manifold mercies. His mercies are tender and they are exceeding great mercies. His mercies are a multitude of blessings to us. When we remember what He is to us, it is possible for God's people to move through dark valleys in faith and confidence that the is the right way to go. In all the experiences God arranges for us to pass through, there are benefits that we not know now or even realize they are benefits that will enable us to fulfill our ministry for others. Our God is the God of all comfort, not merely sympathy. He comes alongside of the who need comfort and the Holy Spirit enables us to minister to those needs.
Past lifestyle does not always go away quickly. Those early laborers knew experimentally what it was to suffer because of the ministry in which they were involved. They were affirmed in the rightness of this suffering because it was the sufferings of Christ and for Christ they were enduring. But further and better was the fact that in the suffering, they had the needed consolation that gave them peace. Challenge against God-given authority is not uncommon even among God's people. However, we know that even though there may be noisy discontented believers who are motivated by the flesh, God has His faithful, dedicated people who continue on in their faithfulness to God. Commitment to Christ does not stop at conversion but is intended to increase as we live consistent lives in this world in spite of the pressure to compromise. The affirmation principle comes into effect when the Spirit of God enables us to abound by Christ even when enduring suffering for Christ in times of trouble.
The two men who labored together, one older and one younger, in the immoral city of Corinth, knew that in spite of the evil in the city, God had many there He was going to save from their sins. To "Corinthianize" was a commonly used term to describe sexual immorality that was rampant there. People who lived there were used to that and the practice wasn't seriously frowned upon. It is impossible for us to change a society or even socially accepted practices by our efforts. Those changes happen when God changes a person from within by the Word of God and the Spirit of God bringing about the new birth.
When we understand the "comfort of God" does not mean our trouble will go away, but means we are given needed strength, hope and encouragement to go through difficulties, then we can remain confident, and to a certain degree, joyful as God affirms to us the value of what we are engaged in. Because of that divine affirmation we have experienced, we are able to participate in, and share in the suffering of others. In the service of Christ, He has identified Himself with us, and we pass on that affirming principle to others as we go through times of persecution. Christ suffered with the early Christians in their persecution. The Lord Jesus charged Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road with persecuting Him when he was persecuting the believers in Christ. There are wide varieties of suffering people go through when they minister to others in Christ's name. When our trust is in God, suffering can make us more like Christ, draw us closer to Christ, help us to grow in Christ and develop a Christ-like character. When that happens, we are far more qualified to come alongside and encourage others who are going through difficult times.
Trouble accompanies active Christian service that reaches out to lost souls. Satan is not going to give up territory or people without a battle. We must be willing to obey God in our service even though it will mean hardship. Our own abilities and skills are not enough to do what is needed in our ministry for God. It is our attitude of dependence on God that gives us the right mind-set for God to be able to work through us. By prayer we are able to participate in another person's ministry even though they may be far away from us. Satan will challenge those who pray, to give up their spiritual labor as well as those out in the field ministering the Gospel in Christ's name. It is an interesting fact that the identification word, "Christ," is used alone 38 times in 2nd Corinthians. This indicates the urgency of the people to remember it is God's Anointed Person who we represent when we affirm the word of God by principle and precept. The word "ministry" is used on 17 occasions to remind us of our obligation and privilege to pass on God's truth constantly and confidently. We find our encouragement to do this in God Himself. It affirms what we do when we remember who God is to us, what God does for us, and what God does through us.