Sinful Imaginations

2 Corinthians 2:5 "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"

This is a verse we're pretty comfortable with but I believe has largely lost its meaning. What are imaginations and high things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God? I believe Paul is talking about sin, plain and simple. Sin begins as an imagination and attempts to be greater than the knowledge we have of God.

For example - someone does something to tick you off. If you slow down the tape, your anger begins as an imagination. Yet the knowledge of God confronts that imagination. Through the knowledge of God we know that anger is wrong and that love ought to be our response. Yet this sin makes itself a "high thing" and tries to trump that knowledge.

In that moment we have a choice - will we cast down that imagination? Will we bring that thought into obedient captivity to Christ? Or will we let it overcome what we know of God and rule us?

A Cheerful Giver

2 Corinthians 9:7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

I have read this verse many times. I have heard sermons preached on this verse. Reading it this time though with the context of the entire chapter and book, it almost makes me mad thinking about the teaching I've heard on it. This verse is not about tithing to the church, as I have so often heard it preached.

This verse is about giving to the poor, abounding in good works, sacrificial service, fulfilling the needs of the saints. Most of the messages and teaching I've heard on this verse would have you believe that all Paul meant was "wear a smile when you put the tithe in the offering plate".

The church was designed to be the body of Christ. What did Christ do when he was bodily present on earth? He ministered to the poor and needy, he sacrificially served and gave to the least, He met the needs of His disciples. His example to us is not to just sit in a pew and smile while we fill up the offering plate once a week.

Clenching or Giving

2 Corinthians 9:6 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

We serve the Creator of the Universe. He designed and made this place to operate on certain immutable rules. This verse contains one of those rules. If you were hoping to get enough of a harvest to provide for you and your family, you could not sow just a little. You would likely use all the seed you had. Use it all up. Then you would wait. And pray.

When harvest time came though, your sowing paid off. Because for each seed that you sowed, you got more than that in return. That one planted seed grew and became a stalk of grain that contains many, many more seeds. I know Paul was speaking of different grain, but just to give you an idea, a single stalk of Oklahoma wheat can have 30 or more grains per head. A 30x return on investment.

Am I sowing bountifully in my life? Or am I clenching what I have? A lack of generosity is really just a lack of faith. Do you want a bountiful harvest? Then it's time to give!

Beyond Your Power

2 Corinthians 8:3 "For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;"

The capacity that a surrendered child of God has to give and sacrifice is really something. But we all have our limit. Our power to aid those around us to our own detriment has a boundary that we will reach. Then what?

That surrendered child of God will find what is beyond their own power. It's as if we're running a race and we run, and we run, and we run until we can absolutely run no more. We collapse forward, but instead of hitting the ground God's power (which was their all along) is their to grab us and carry us beyond where our power could get us.

We foolishly set limits to our generosity and our ability. The God Who dwells inside us is not limited. And it's His power in us that allows us to be generous in the first place. Have I ever experienced that power beyond my power? Has it been recently?

He Became Poor

2 Corinthians 8:9 "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

So often, riches ensnare their owners. In fact, it's not a stretch to say that often times the "owner" ceases to truly be the owner and instead the riches become master. Praise God, our Lord Jesus Christ did not let His riches own Him!

He truly is our example in all things. Any riches we have on this earth cannot even be compared to the riches He enjoyed in Heaven. Yet it was nothing to Him. He left it all because He loves us. He didn't want Heaven without us.

Are there any riches in my life that I am unwilling to give up? How can I say 'thank you' and follow Christ's sacrificial example today?

Within Were Fears

2 Corinthians 7:5-6 "For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;"

Perhaps I'm alone in this, but when there is fear in my life, my general reaction is shame. I know that is not how a Christian is supposed to live because God's perfect love casts out fear. Therefore, if there is fear in my life, I'm not living in Christ's love as I ought. After the shame, my next general reaction is to try and get rid of the fear on my own.

While repenting is a good thing to do when we have fear born out of a lack of faith, God knows our weaknesses. He understands our faults and our failings. When their is fear in our life, we don't have to deal with it by ourselves. God is there to comfort like the good Father that He is.

Is there any fear in my life? What is its source? Can I repent of my fear and lack of faith and let myself be held by the God who comforts those that are cast down?

Blaming the Ministry

2 Corinthians 6:3 "Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:"

As Christians, we bear the name of Christ. Many of the people we meet will potentially never experience His love apart from their interaction with us. That is why Paul exhorts the church to not give offence in any thing. It's not so that you get along well with others, it's so that the ministry (reconciliation with God, the Gospel) is not blamed for our poor behavior.

Think of a super fancy restaurant, one where a tie is required and there's more silverware than you know what to do with. The waiters and waitresses are all dressed a certain way that identifies them with that restaurant. They all act a certain way. If they fail to act in the expected way (say they're rude, obnoxious, or inattentive), they could get fired. Why? Because their behavior reflected poorly on the restaurant. If you have a bad experience with a waiter or waitress, there's a good chance you won't come back.

How much more important is this concept in our Christian lives! Paul goes on for 6 verses giving examples of problems and hardships we might encounter. His point is regardless of what we experience, we are "dressed" in a certain way that identifies us with Christ. Therefore, it is imperative that our actions line up with Who we serve and show His love and grace to the world.

Is my life being lived "giving no offense" today?

NOTE: Some may take this to mean that we should never offend anyone. That is not our job at all and it is not what Paul means here. Jesus offended people. A lot. The Truth offends the sinner as it should. We must never compromise the Truth in order to attempt to not offend someone. The word "offense" here means, "an occasion of stumbling, to do something which causes others to stumble. i.e. leads them into error or sin." In other words, a Christian's behavior in all the circumstances Paul lists ought to be such that points the world to Christ and does not create a stumbling block that will lead them to sin.