2nd Corinthians 11 "THIS IS FOR YOUR GOOD" True fathers do not find joy in correcting their children, but they know that afterwards, when the behavior and attitudes are changed, the outcome will be better for everyone. The process is not easy, but the results are well worth the effort when we must deal with things that are wrong. "No chastening for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Paul had to turn up the heat on his spiritual children at Corinth because they were being led astray. He had to speak candidly to them in a way he was not used to doing as a spiritual father. But these immature believers who should have known better, had gone a long way out of the right way by following false teacher. So as a father he had to deal bluntly with them. He could see they were losing their focus in life by being distracted by the serpent-like subtlety that Eve had experienced. Like a father whose daughter is going to get married, he wanted to be able to present the Corinthian believers to Christ like a morally pure virgin to her future husband. His desire expressed was that they would listen to him for their own sake as well as for his.
Paul had a single-minded love for Christ. He wanted them to have that. Love has a right to be jealous. That is godly jealousy that any spiritual father has for those he led to Christ and who he knows are in danger of making a serious mistake. it would be wrong for us to overlook evil in order to have a false peace and false comfort among God's people. Smooth-talking men with a smooth, eloquent way of speaking are the ones spiritually immature people like to listen to. They may sound like they have authority because of their command of language or the degrees they might hold from a university and a seminary. But we must "try the spirits," test the teaching by searching the word of God and comparing what men say with what God says. Any distortion of the truth is wrong, is dangerous to the spiritual life of believers, and the person teaching it has Satan behind him.
When we hear one speak and their teaching about the Lord Jesus is different that what is plainly taught in the Bible - Jesus is God in the flesh, yet eternally God - then all he has to say must be rejected. Different teaching about the Holy Spirit that emphasizes the wrong things must be rejected. Teaching about the Gospel that tries to make it "seeker friendly" and doesn't bring teach conviction of sin, eternal consequences for sin, repentance for sin and faith in Christ alone for salvation, must be rejected as well as those who will not preach the Gospel biblically. Those "super apostles" were eloquent in speech but servants of Satan. A loving father will rise to the challenge of preserving his daughter from the deceptive peril of smooth-talking suitors who want to take what they can get for themselves. A loving parent will gladly sacrifice himself instead of burdening his young children. Godly jealousy produces a godly fear of satanic influence. A father has authority that no one else can claim. The proof of that authority is demonstrated in the cost he is willing to pay for the safety of his children.
Oratory may not have been the apostle Paul's high point, but with his brilliant mind he could discern people. He knew their capacity to understand his message and could adapt and simplify his teaching so they could easily grasp its truth. He knew the Gospel personally because he had experienced its saving power and he got it from God directly. He also knew how to pass it on to other people. This is the responsibility of any minister of the Gospel today. We must have understood it ourselves by experiencing it right from the conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment to come when the Holy Spirit awakened us to our need.
Repentance toward God is evident when a person is humbled down in sorrow for sin and a complete change of mind about God, ourselves and salvation. When faith is placed in Christ alone for salvation, there is no question that rebirth by the Holy Spirit has taken place and the word of God assures us of that fact. A person who represents the Gospel simply, is not simple-minded. A person who loves the Lord knows that content is more important that the expertise displayed when the Gospel is preached. God's word and the Gospel message do not need our skill to give it value. Nothing we can say or do gives it merit. It is our responsibility to give the message, and it is God alone who gives eternal life when it is accepted.
We all have our strengths and weaknesses when it comes to a public presentation of God's truth. But when any person charges a fee for giving the Gospel message to lost souls, those words are no more that a speech like a politician gives, no matter how well it is put together or how well it is presented. However, God can bless the truth of the Gospel to the salvation of souls in spite of whoever preaches it, not because of who they are. Paul asked no money from the Corinthian believers and so he seemed like an amateur with no authority because of that. He knew that financial profit from them would be misunderstood by carnal believers. False teachers still make a profit from preaching and many even ask publicly for money. Paul separated himself from that kind of people, and so should we. Paul explained his demeanor was based on his love for them. He had superior learning as far as training is concerned. His leadership was selfless because he had the love of a shepherd for his spiritual children.
In contrast to that, Satan and his servants seem to be good people, who can talk well, quote the Bible, and are attractive and moral people who have a smooth way with words. Those who appear righteous, moral, family-oriented people outwardly, often cover inward motives with words that seem alright, but come from another source instead of the scriptures. They portray themselves like those who came to Corinth did as "apostles of Christ," following the same pattern as Satan who presents himself sometimes as "an angel of light." They consider themselves as "ministers of righteousness." True teaching must confirm the scriptures. The lifestyle of true teachers should be consistent with biblical standards of morality and doctrine. All teachers will be judged as to their teaching. True teachers will have their teaching tried by fire as gold, silver and precious stones, or as wood, hay and stubble. Those who false teachers, "their end shall be according to their works."
Paul gave a list of his credentials that should have silenced every critic, and removed every doubt as to His authority. His boasting was legitimate. He expanded his defense by pointing out he was a Hebrew. This would silence the Judaizers in regard to his learning. He had actually been a student at one of the most well- known prestigious schools of that day, the school of Gamaliel. As an Israelite he was faithful in keeping the laws in which so many of the false teacher prided themselves. Paul knew, and kept, the spirit of the law which was even more important than the letter of the law. His lineage was of the seed of Abraham, and he was from the tribe of Benjamin. Further though, was the fact that he was of the faith of Abraham, not just the pedigree, Abraham being the father of the faithful.
Externals have their place in Christian testimony, but that which is from within is what is important and lasting. The outward trials of Paul indicated the degree of his commitment and authority. The outward expression of our faith indicates what is behind our motivation to further the work of the Lord. Paul's concern for the new assemblies that God had raised up across Europe and Asia was genuine. The welfare of God's people is always on the hearts of those who reach out with the Gospel and see lamp-stands arising as the Lord's people gather together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
It is impossible to avoid difficulties when furthering the work of the Lord. Many people will criticize methods that are different from those used where they have lived all their lives. Most will not understand why these difficulties are experienced. When we take the Gospel to "regions beyond" where we will not be making claims on another man's work, there will be persecution because Satan does not take inroads of light into his dark kingdom sitting down. There are also perils on the journeys that have to be faced everyday when we leave our "comfort zones." The work itself generates pressures in which decisions have to be made and the servant must accept the consequences of those decisions himself - whether they be good or bad. Another of the difficulties as the attacks of one kind or another that are placed on the worker. Temptations, trials, tests and even personal problems of health, finances and the maintenance of an effective devotional life are in jeopardy when busy in the work. Yet God is sufficient to meet all these needs from all of the abundant supply of His grace.
We can learn from Paul's example that for the good of others, there are costs we must pay. His good jealousy for the Corinthian church was because he had a right to be jealous over God had committed to his care. We cannot avoid the cost involved emotionally and in other ways when we carry out the work of the Lord. His generosity to the church teaches us that in our labors for God's people, we do not expect reimbursement, but have given to the Lord what we have received from others. His anxiety for that church reminds us that we will never avoid the pain, problems and blessings of spiritual fatherhood. None of the things that happen to us escapes the "God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." He knows. His interests in the assembly is greater than ours, and He knows the future. We will do what we must and leave the all results to Him.
2 Corinthians 11:28. “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”
A FATHER’S LOVE.
Energy expended – labor not ended – children offended – family depended – self-interest suspended: A father’s care. Burdens to bear – enemies are near – false apostles to fear – does anyone care – no one to share: A father’s burden. The potential is great – there’s a cost I must make – there’s responsibility to take – a thirst there to slake: A father’s work. There are foes all around – strange doctrines abound – brass and cymbals give sound – all threaten to ground: A father’s defense. Hands of entreaty – words of simplicity – help for the needy – the Gospel preached freely – concern for reality: A father’s love. Giving wholeheartedly – praying unceasingly – meeting needs diligently – living consistently: A father’s actions. Work unappreciated – rumors unsubstantiated – challenges unmitigated – charges undesignated: A father’s commitment. He labors on because he loves – he gives himself because he chooses – he doesn’t quit and never loses: A father’s reward. One comes in private and gives him thanks – not from the high, but the lowest ranks – and the father suffers all attacks: A father loves. He knows the end will make it worth it all – he knows, and answers the Chief Shepherd’s call – he will rejoice when all at Jesus’ feet will fall: A father’s love. He will see down the lines of worshiping saints – he will see those cared for in bad circumstance – he will be able to see in a moment’s glance: The value of a father’s love. To hear the praises of those he loved – to recognize them bowing before their Lord – to see them in heaven is his reward: The result of a father’s love.
“O Father of all fathers: please give to those who are caring for the churches, a sense of the value of the work they are doing. There are many who feel uncared for and unappreciated. Perhaps there is some way, Father, that an encouraging word may be passed on to the fathers. A lot of praise goes to instructors, but not a lot to fathers. I
thank You for those who are real in their role as spiritual parents. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”