via TJC
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”
—2 Corinthians 10:5-6
In Paul’s second letter of record to the Corinthian Christians, he goes to great lengths to re-establish himself as a true apostle of Christ. Why? Because in the three years since he had been to Corinth, his relationship with his converts had been greatly strained and his legitimacy had been damaged by his detractors. Paul would have none of this, as he knew this was actually an attack on the veracity of the Gospel itself. After taking care of some “housekeeping” on the front end, Paul sets about to defend himself and the message of the true Gospel. He walks a fine line between defending his credentials and re-establishing true doctrine, all while enduring the “sting” of a damaged ego. Somehow he still manages to keep the focus on Jesus… a miracle in itself.
Which raises the question: How did he do that? More importantly, how do we do that? What did Paul do to stay focused on the subject (The Gospel) at hand? How did he avoid not making it about him?
“…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,”.
Did you catch that the first time? If you read through this letter, you’ll find that every statement, every thought is filtered through the lens of love for Christ. From that love springs obedience. From that obedience comes a focus so powerful that it jumps off the page and into the heart of the believer.
Paul loved Christ so much that the Gospel and obedience to it had become his nature. Did he get it right every time? No. Neither will we. That’s not even what it’s about. It’s about loving Him enough to take every thought captive by filtering each one through the lens of love, and out of that love getting better through obedience to Him.
DAILY BATTLE ORDER
Wouldn’t it be great to take “me” and “I” out of conversations that are supposed to be about Jesus? Have hurt feelings and derogatory, personal statements distracted you from speaking the truth in love? Are you sick enough of it to give control of your thought life to Him today? Do it! Freedom lies in your loyalty to Christ!
댓글