Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 21, 2020

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!  Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.  And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

————–

We may experience what may be apparently considered bad such as insults, distresses, persecutions, and difficulties, but God will give us grace sufficient for us to deal with them.

Or, we may experience what may be apparently considered good such as flattery, prosperity, pleasant visions, and ease, but we need and receive God’s grace to deal with them.  Paul recognized:  “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations (of Paradise – see 2 Corinthians 12:1-6), for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh …”  Verse 7.

God will give us sufficient grace to deal with whatever we face, the apparent bad or the apparent good.

God’s sufficient grace includes the comfort of God the Father, the God of all comfort, and all the fruit of God the Spirit to help us endure the experience. 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

God’s sufficient grace does more than just help us endure the experience;  God causes all things to work together for our good.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28.

Specifically, as taught in today’s Scripture, God’s sufficient grace causes us to experience more of the power of Christ within us.

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  Verse 9.

“Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.  For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit;  so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”  Romans 15:17-19.

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.  For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;  we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;  perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken;  struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”  2 Corinthians 4:7-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 20, 2020

“Let all things be done for edification.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 12:1-6.

“Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable;  but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.  And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.  On behalf of such a man I will boast;  but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.  For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth;  but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.”  2 Corinthians 12:1-6.

——————-

Paul refrained from trying to express his vision.  Paul wanted to be credited for what the church understood through his teaching and the way that he lived his life.  “… I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.”  Verse 6.

We may enjoy relaying a vision, because we enjoy remembering it or because it causes others to respect us more.  But, it is not profitable.  It may even hurt us if it just inflates our ego.

“Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.”  Colossians 2:18-19.

We may even be truly blessed by the vision.  It may even edify us.  But, it may not edify the church unless it is interpreted and properly revealed and explained through Scripture.

Although the following Scriptures apply specifically to speaking in tongues, these Scriptures generally also apply to visions and teach us the importance of relaying visions to others only if we can edify others though proper interpretation, revelation, and teaching through Scripture.

“Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.  For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God;  for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.  But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.  One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself;  but one who prophesies edifies the church.  Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy;  and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?”  1 Corinthians 14:1-6.

“What is the outcome then, brethren?  When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.  Let all things be done for edification.”  1 Corinthians 14:26.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 19, 2020

“If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 11:30-33.

“If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.  The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.  In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.”  2 Corinthians 11:30-33.

—————–

Why did Paul use this example of what pertains to his weakness to make his concluding point of the chapter?  

In the prior Scripture, Paul detailed seemingly better examples of his weakness such as “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.”  2 Corinthians 11:26-27.

If Paul did use one of those examples, the reader may be focused on his strength, his endurance, and his perseverance.

Paul’s example of being let down in a basket does lead us to meditate on Jesus’ words describing salvation.  “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;  and I will raise him up on the last day.”  John 6:44.  Just as a fish deserves no credit being captured by a net and drawn up and into a boat, we deserve no credit and reason to boast being drawn into salvation.  Likewise, Paul deserved no credit and reason to boast of being let down in the basket to save his life, so to speak, drawn down (instead of drawn up) into salvation.

Other doctrine boasts about its own wisdom, its own alleged free-will, its own works, and its own perseverance.

But, Reformed Doctrine boasts about God’s wisdom, God’s will, and God’s preservation of the saints.

Simply, other doctrine boasts about its alleged free-will choices.

But, Reformed Doctrine boasts about God’s choices.

“… God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:27-31.

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.  For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;  we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;  perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken;  struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”  2 Corinthians 4:7-10.

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  Just as it is written,

“FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:37-39.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 17, 2020

“I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 11:21-29.

“…  But in whatever respect anyone else is bold—I speak in foolishness—I am just as bold myself.  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 11:21-29.

——————–

Paul continues his defense of his apostleship compared to the false apostles to the point that he and we realize that there is no comparison such that he does not need to mention them anymore.

Our attention focuses in awe on the incredible labor, hardships, and dangers that Paul endured for the church.

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;”  2 Timothy 4:6-7.

Paul exemplified Christ, and he calls us to imitate Christ and himself as our father through the gospel.

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”  Philippians 2:5-8.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”  2 Corinthians 8:9.

“You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us;  and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.  For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death;  because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.  We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ;  we are weak, but you are strong;  you are distinguished, but we are without honor.  To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;  and we toil, working with our own hands;  when we are reviled, we bless;  when we are persecuted, we endure;  when we are slandered, we try to conciliate;  we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.  For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.  Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.”  1 Corinthians 4:8-16.

In awe with all that Paul and Christ have endured and done, we wonder:  “How can we imitate them?!”

But, there is hope!

“I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity;  in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:12-13.

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”  Philippians 1:29-30.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.  After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.  To Him be dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Peter 5:6-11.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 16, 2020

“For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you” – “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 11:16-21.

“Again I say, let no one think me foolish;  but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little.  What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.  Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.  For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly.  For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.  To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison.  …”  2 Corinthians 11:16-21.

—————–

Paul is being sarcastic in most of today’s Scripture to the Corinthians to make the following serious point.  “For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.”  Verse 20.

By making this statement, Paul continues to warn against false prophets who, although they disguised themselves as apostles of Christ, they enslaved the Corinthians, devoured them, and took advantage of them.  These false prophets exalted themselves and, so to speak, hit the Corinthians in the face.

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”  2 Corinthians 11:13.

The Corinthians may have thought, and we today may think:  “They are gentle and harmless as sheep.”

But, we all are reminded of the words of Jesus:  “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”  Matthew 7:15.

Regarding false prophets being “deceitful workers” who try to “enslave” members of the church to the Law, Paul also warned the Philippians and Galatians, and Paul warns us today.

“Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;  for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,”  Philippians 3:2-3.

“Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?  So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”  Galatians 3:3-5.

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba!  Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;  and if a son, then an heir through God.”  Galatians 4:4-7.

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free;  therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.  And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.  You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”  Galatians 5:1-5.

“You were running well;  who hindered you from obeying the truth?  This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.  A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.  I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view;  but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.  But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted?  Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.  I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.”  Galatians 5:7-12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 15, 2020

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 11:12-15.

“But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”   2 Corinthians 11:12-15.

—————

One of the best ways to help someone detect what is false is by comparing and contrasting what is false with what is true.  There are some things that superficially look alike but there are important differences.

I heard that people who train retailers to spot fake money do so by comparing and contrasting fake money with true money.

For this reason, we also see the Book of Proverbs so often comparing and contrasting the wicked with the righteous.

Things hidden in darkness are not seen, and we are content with them, until the lights are turned on.

How often have I compared and contrasted other doctrine with Reformed Doctrine in these daily devotions!

In today’s Scripture, Paul wanted to show by his personal example what is righteous so that the Corinthians could more easily detect what was wicked, “… so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.”  Verse 12.

Why is this important?      

“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.”  Matthew 24:11.

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.  Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?  So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  So then, you will know them by their fruits.”  Matthew 7:15-20.

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”  Verse 13.

Through God’s grace working in us, we bear good fruit, and the bad fruit is understood to be bad fruit in contrast.

Through God’s grace working in us, we “appear as lights in the world”, and the light exposes the deeds of darkness.

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing;  so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”  Philippians 2:14-16.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not be partakers with them;  for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord;  walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;  for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.  But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.”  Ephesians 5:6-13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 14, 2020

“If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 11:7-11.

“Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?  I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you;  and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone;  for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.  As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.  Why?  Because I do not love you?  God knows I do!”  2 Corinthians 11:7-11.

———————-

Paul had just finished his “boasting”, so to speak, to the Corinthians of his position as an apostle and his knowledge in the preceding two verses.  Now, in today’s Scripture, Paul proceeds to “boast” of his love for the Corinthians through his keeping himself from being a financial burden to them.

Today’s Scripture reminds us of the importance of love in our ministry to others.

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge;  and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;  love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;  it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:1-7.

We can never love as we should through the flesh due to our natural condition of “Total Depravity”.

But, there is hope!

We love as we should through the Holy Spirit given to us.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”  2 Peter 1:2-3.

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Peter 1:5-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 13, 2020

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel” – “for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 11:1-6.

“I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness;  but indeed you are bearing with me.  For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy;  for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.  But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.  For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.  For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.  But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge;  in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things.”  2 Corinthians 11:1-6.

——————-

Obviously, Paul is not commending the Corinthians when he states:  “For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.”  Verse 4.  Paul is being sarcastic when he states “you bear this beautifully”, perhaps staying within the theme of godly jealousy and seeking to present them as a pure virgin.

Neither the Corinthians then nor us today should bear a different gospel.  The consequences lead to destruction.  

Paul had harsh language for the Galatians.

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;  which is really not another;  only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”  Galatians 1:6-9.

“You were running well;  who hindered you from obeying the truth?  This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.  A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.  I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view;  but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.  But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted?  Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.  I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.”  Galatians 5:7-12.

Jesus also had harsh language.  

“Enter through the narrow gate;  for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14.

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”  Matthew 7:15.

“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.”  Matthew 24:11.

“‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”  Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7.

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;  for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  John 4:23-24.

True Doctrine teaches that salvation is a work of God alone.  This is “the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” to use Paul’s language in today’s Scripture.

Reformed Doctrine accurately summarizes Scripture and teaches that salvation is a work of God alone, by grace alone, and that God handles all the points of salvation from “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” through “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.

In addition to the Canons of Dordt, the other major Reformed Creeds forming true doctrine are Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Westminster Larger Confession.  They are all organized and easily readable.

Scripture emphasizes the importance of truth.  Zeal is not enough.  Claiming Jesus as your Lord is not enough.  Those who teach or believe in doctrines based on the ideas of man worship God in vain.

Those who worship God must worship God in truth.

Scripture exhorts us to seek for wisdom as one would seek for silver or hidden treasure.

“If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.”  Proverbs 2:4-5.

Likewise, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a hidden treasure.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again;  and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”  Matthew 13:44-46.

If we are to so enter by the narrow gate and seek wisdom and the kingdom of heaven as one would search for hidden treasure with all of our heart, how much more should we seek the one true doctrine of salvation with all of our heart!!!

“And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?”  And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door;  for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  Luke 13:23-24.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 12, 2020

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption” – “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 10:17-18.

“But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.  For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”  2 Corinthians 10:17-18.

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“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Other doctrine loves to boast about man’s wisdom, man’s alleged free-will, and man’s works.

But, Reformed Doctrine loves to boast about God’s wisdom, God’s will, and God’s works.

“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”  Psalm 92:4.

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.  Canons of Dordt in the section titled “SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby”.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

“10 as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”  Romans 3:10-12.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 10, 2020

“But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 10:7-16.

“You are looking at things as they are outwardly.  If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.  For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.  For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”  Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.

For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves;  but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.  But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.  For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;  not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.”   2 Corinthians 10:7-16.

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From our view almost 2,000 years later, it may seem strange that Paul, who wrote so much of the New Testament, would feel the need to make such statements.

Moreover and more generally, Paul does seem to contradict his statements by immediately thereafter stating:  “But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.  For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”   2 Corinthians 10:17-18.

I had planned for about two days to skip verses 7-16, but there continued to be a feeling in me that there is a purpose for Paul’s statements.  “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17.

So, what was the purpose of these statements by Paul, this Scripture?

What lesson can we learn?

Even though we ultimately should not boast in our self but only boast in the Lord, and even though ultimately only the Lord’s commendation means anything, we should realize and appreciate and work out of the conviction that God has apportioned a sphere of work to do.  “But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.”  Verse 13.

Paul earlier stated to the Corinthians:  “What then is Apollos?  And what is Paul?  Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.”  1 Corinthians 3:5-6.

So to speak, our sphere of work may be only to plant.  Or, our sphere of work may be only to water.  But, we should realize and appreciate and work out of the conviction that God has apportioned a sphere of work to do.

“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.  If they were all one member, where would the body be?  But now there are many members, but one body.  And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”;  or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  1 Corinthians 12:18-21.

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  …

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;”  Ephesians 4:7 and 11-12.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-7.

If you have read my Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions, then you know I do not like to make personal comments about myself.  I mostly quote Scripture.  But, if Paul could take the risk and appear to boast to make a point, then I should also do so.

I have often wondered how many read my devotions.  I very rarely get comments.  Should I not promote these devotions?!  But, God leads me to just focus on writing.  This is the measure of grace given to me.  This is my sphere of work.  So to speak, I plant these devotions, and I trust God to use others to water them.

So, let us trust God.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

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