Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 11:16-29 which concern false apostles who were trying to lure away the Corinthians’ loyalty to Paul.  Paul went to great detail to list all of his credentials including the extent of his sufferings, so that the Corinthians would understand how much he (Paul) cared for them and how he deserved their loyalty.  You can access it through this following link –

 

We will focus on the following verses 22-29.

 

“Are they Hebrews?  So am I.  Are they Israelites?  So am I.  Are they descendants of Abraham?  So am I.  Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so;  in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.  Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.  I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;  I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.  Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.  Who is weak without my being weak?  Who is led into sin without my intense concern?”  2 Corinthians 11:22-29.

 

———————————–

 

Paul commended himself as a faithful servant of God in service for the Corinthians:  “but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,”  2 Corinthians 6:4-5. 

 

We may be called to suffer to some extent, so that we will prove our care for others.  When others see and understand the sufferings that we endure because we care so much for them, they may trust us more to be their good shepherd.

 

The ultimate proof of care was done by Christ.  “I am the good shepherd;  the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.  He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.  I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father;  and I lay down My life for the sheep.”  John 10:11-15.   

 

Let us be inspired by the examples of Paul and Christ. 

 

Let us endure when we suffer to prove our trust in God and our care for others.  “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;  and perseverance, proven character;  and proven character, hope;  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  Romans 5:3-4.  Paul concluded:  “… I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.  But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.”  Philippians 2:16-17.

 

Let us always remember and give credit to God for His grace and work within us.  Here are Paul’s words.  “For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain;  but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”  1 Corinthians 15:9-10.