April 11, 2013
We live in the world but we should not be of the world. II Corinthians 10:4-5a - "We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places. We destroy people's arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God." It has nothing to do with our abilities or capabilities. It has everything to do with the surrendering of our lives to the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is about whose we are not who we are.
To surrender does not mean just a passive waving of a white flag. It requires action, responsibility, and holding ourselves accountable. II Corinthians 10:5b - "We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ." Sin begins with a thought and grows from there. Psalm 7:14 - "He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment." (NIV) "There are people who think up evil and plan trouble and tell lies." (NCV) We are not victims of our thoughts, we are to be victors over our thoughts.
Look at the words Paul uses. We are to "capture" every thought and "make" it "give up" and "obey" Christ. Surrendering requires active participation in directing our will towards His will. Surrendering does not tear us down, it builds us up because of whose we are. We do not dare to compare ourselves with those who think they are important. They use themselves to measure themselves, and they judge themselves by what they themselves are. This shows that they know nothing... if someone wants to brag, he should brag only about the Lord. It is not those who say they are good who are accepted but those who the Lord thinks are good." (II Corinthians 10:12,17)
It isn't always easy to know if someone is a counterfeit. Some people are very good at camouflaging the truth. I am a trusting person. I would rather be trusting (even if it means being in the situation we are in), than to have a suspicious, doubtful, and fearful heart. God knows, and He will reveal the truth. II Corinthians 11:13–15 - "They change themselves to look like apostles of Christ. This does not surprise us. Even Satan changes himself to look like an angel of light. So it does not surprise us if Satan's servants also make themselves look like servants who work for what is right. But in the end they will be punished for what they do."
It is extremely freeing and comforting to know God is in control and the One responsible for judgment and punishment. We are totally free from any responsibility. It is up to God. He is the One who avenges and determines right from wrong. Our responsibility is to live a surrendered life. Live—active participation. Not a one time act but a lifestyle.
Next Entry: II Corinthians 11:16 – 13:14
We live in the world but we should not be of the world. II Corinthians 10:4-5a - "We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places. We destroy people's arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God." It has nothing to do with our abilities or capabilities. It has everything to do with the surrendering of our lives to the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is about whose we are not who we are.
To surrender does not mean just a passive waving of a white flag. It requires action, responsibility, and holding ourselves accountable. II Corinthians 10:5b - "We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ." Sin begins with a thought and grows from there. Psalm 7:14 - "He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment." (NIV) "There are people who think up evil and plan trouble and tell lies." (NCV) We are not victims of our thoughts, we are to be victors over our thoughts.
Look at the words Paul uses. We are to "capture" every thought and "make" it "give up" and "obey" Christ. Surrendering requires active participation in directing our will towards His will. Surrendering does not tear us down, it builds us up because of whose we are. We do not dare to compare ourselves with those who think they are important. They use themselves to measure themselves, and they judge themselves by what they themselves are. This shows that they know nothing... if someone wants to brag, he should brag only about the Lord. It is not those who say they are good who are accepted but those who the Lord thinks are good." (II Corinthians 10:12,17)
It isn't always easy to know if someone is a counterfeit. Some people are very good at camouflaging the truth. I am a trusting person. I would rather be trusting (even if it means being in the situation we are in), than to have a suspicious, doubtful, and fearful heart. God knows, and He will reveal the truth. II Corinthians 11:13–15 - "They change themselves to look like apostles of Christ. This does not surprise us. Even Satan changes himself to look like an angel of light. So it does not surprise us if Satan's servants also make themselves look like servants who work for what is right. But in the end they will be punished for what they do."
It is extremely freeing and comforting to know God is in control and the One responsible for judgment and punishment. We are totally free from any responsibility. It is up to God. He is the One who avenges and determines right from wrong. Our responsibility is to live a surrendered life. Live—active participation. Not a one time act but a lifestyle.
"We sometimes think that power comes only through aggressive self-promotion, but Jesus made it clear that this was not so. He explained to his disciples very bluntly that power and authority in his Kingdom is based on servant-hood." ~ From Stories of Faith by Ruth A. TuckerGod's ways are not the ways of the world. To be a good leader you must first learn to serve, not step on everyone else in an attempt to reach the top of the ladder.
Next Entry: II Corinthians 11:16 – 13:14
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