2 Corinthians 10:7-12

2 Corinthians 10:7-12

You all look at things according to the appearance.  If someone has convinced themselves to be of Christ, let him consider this again: that just as he is of Christ, similarly also are we.  For even if I should boast somewhat too much regarding our authority that the Lord gave into a building up and not into tearing you all down, I will not be ashamed.  In order that I should not be thought to frighten you all through the letters – for in one case it is said that the letters are burdensome and severe but the presence of the body is weak and the words are of no worth.  Let one such as this consider this: that the kind of people we are by words through letters while being absent, we are people such as these by works while also being present.  For we do not dare to classify or to compare ourselves to some of the ones who are commending themselves.  But while they measure themselves in themselves to themselves and compare themselves to themselves they are unable to understand.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul gives a really stern warning in the opening sentences of this passage.  If someone thinks that that they are in Christ, they need to remember that other people are in Christ, too.  In fact, what Paul is really saying is that we are in Christ, not the other way around.  By being in Christ, we are submitted to Him.  We are about Christ’s agenda.  So it is not up to us who are servants of Christ to judge other people.  Christ can determine for Himself who is in Christ.  Our job is to be in Christ and then focus on obeying Him.

When can it be easy to judge other people as to whether they are in Christ?  Why is this a dangerous proposition?  How can we emphasize the importance of being in Christ while refraining from judging whether other people are in Christ?

Second Thought:

As I was reading this passage, I came across the following quote in Warren Wiersbe’s Bible Exposition Commentary that I really want to lift up and quote directly.  He says, “In my many years of pastoral and itinerant ministry, I have never ceased to be amazed at how some local churches treat their pastors. If a man shows love and true humility, they resist his leadership and break his heart. The next pastor will be a ‘dictator’ who “runs the church”—and he gets just what he wants. And the people love him and brag about him! Our Lord was treated the same way, so perhaps we should not be surprised.”  I, too, am amazed at how little people in this world respect genuine humbleness and walk over it while only respecting the dictators.

Do you receive humble leadership well?  How do you do this?  Do you think of Jesus and Paul as being humble in leadership?

Third Thought:

In the end of this passage, Paul talks about where we get our validation.  Do we compare ourselves to one another?  Do we feel like we are important and successful because we rate well when compared to the people around us?  No, the true standard is Christ.  I can be better than all the sinners around me – but I am still a sinner!  Without Christ, I am not worthy regardless of how I compare to the people around me.  What is important is Christ and His influence upon my life.

Do you like to compare yourself to the people around you?  Why is this tempting to do?  Why does it give us a false impression of ourselves?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 10:13-18