Uncommon Sense

Read This Week: 2 Corinthians 3

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers.
– 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NIV

Confidence is a tricky word and way of being. To be confident is a positive thing regularly interpreted and perceived as something negative like arrogance or pride. And while it does exist on a thin line of interpretation, confidence, by definition, is based on a feeling of trust and firm belief in yourself or others. So, it is fair to say that the right meaning and application of confidence has everything to do with trust and belief. Or better yet, who is trusted or believed.

We see in 2 Corinthians 3 that Paul is very confident. But his confidence did not come from belief or trust in himself but in that of a holy God who gave him life, strength, and knowledge to live out his calling. He writes, “Such confidence we have through Christ before God.” Paul was a well-educated, brilliant, and capable man; yet, he did not rely on his skill and acumen. He depended on the Lord and was quick to give Him glory for who he was and what he was doing. His belief in himself came from his belief in God. His confidence and trust were in the right place and would lead to the right result in his life.

Even more, Paul emphasizes that the accomplishments and abilities of him and his fellow ministers come from the power of God’s Spirit and did not originate in their human gifts, talent, or potential. He says, “We are not competent in ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers.” They were competent because of their confidence in the relationship they had with God through Jesus Christ. Their belief in God’s new covenant empowered their effectiveness in the work of ministry. They were competent because they had the right kind of confidence.

This passage asks two questions of us. One is where does our confidence lie? And two, who do we want to get the glory from our ministry or service to others? The answer to the first question will most likely determine the answer to the second one. Meaning, if our trust is in God and not ourselves, then our confidence will not be arrogant and vainglory will not be sought.

We will not serve out of a belief that we’re the best and only ones that can achieve things. We will not live for self but for Jesus while serving others out of humility and an understanding that God alone placed us there and gave us the ability to do it. If this is our heart and posture, then we will not be worried about who gets the credit for our work or acts of service. We will live freely and confidently with the full desire to see God get all the glory and His name be praised for all we accomplish.

Read This Week: 2 Corinthians 2

Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake. 2 Corinthians 2:7-10 NIV

When we live in a community and have relationships with other people, we will get hurt. Sometimes we will get hurt badly. Other times our hearts will be completely broken. This is one of the most unfortunate, yet normative things about the human condition. No one with a properly functioning mind or conscience is immune. So, because of this inescapable reality, we must learn to forgive. It is essential to a peaceful, thriving, and successful life.

In chapter 2, Paul is writing to the Corinthian church about forgiving, restoring and doing life with a man that had hurt him personally and harmed the entire group with some destructive behavior. The man’s actions are not fully specified in the passage, but it does give a clear and practical approach to how he should be forgiven and provides an example for us today.

First, if we hold on to unforgiveness, it can lead to discouragement in our lives and in the lives of those who know and interact with us. Paul says in verse 7 that the man must be forgiven so that he is not “overcome by discouragement.” The word overcome can also be translated overwhelmed and means “to drown or be swallowed up.” The damage of an unforgiving life is collateral and negatively infectious. It can cause all involved to be consumed by sorrow and discouragement. We don’t want our hearts, or all of the relationships we exist in, to be overshadowed by dismay because we’ve failed to forgive others.

Secondly, Paul gives a stronger warning about something worse than discouragement in verses 10-11. He says that we must forgive through the authority of Christ so that our lives are not susceptible to further exploitation by Satan. Anger, bitterness, anxiety, depression, and resentment are just some of the ways that the Enemy takes advantage of us when we don’t forgive. Paul writes, “I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.” Satan has a big arsenal of weapons and an unforgiving life creates openings for His attacks. But, in Christ, we are victorious and we demonstrate that victory by expressing and applying His forgiveness.  

Lastly, followers of Christ must love to forgive because when we do, we are committing a loving act, especially if the offense is malevolent or damaging. The Bible assures us here in verses 7-8 that the love expressed through forgiveness provides comfort to everyone involved. Forgiveness reaffirms love, consoles others and shows them God’s heart. When we truly forgive, people are built up, affirmed and ultimately learn more about the love of Jesus through our lives.

Read This Week: 2 Corinthians 1

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we receive from God. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

Christian apologist and thinker, Ravi Zacharias once wrote this on the subject of pain and suffering: “We are short-sighted because all we want is to be comfortable. We cannot understand the great plan of an all-knowing God who brings us near to Him through pain or in disappointment with pleasure. Although we wish to avoid it, the pathway of pain can be the means to recognizing our mortality and the rescuing grace of a God so longing to reach us that He was willing to suffer pain Himself.”

This redemptive view of pain and suffering as it relates to our lives and our relationship with God is exactly what Paul is writing to the people of Corinth. He, and those who joined him in Christian service, have experienced many difficulties. There had been much pain and suffering, but Paul did not view it as misery but as a ministry. He declares that God allows suffering, provides the strength for it in each case, and then uses that strength to minister to others. Paul firmly believed that suffering is an invaluable part of gospel ministry and the service of people.

Paul even begins verse 3 by singing praises. But, he’s not singing about his and the church’s circumstances; he is worshipping the One who is in control of their circumstances. He realizes and points out in this section that Jesus suffered, and those whom he calls to follow Him also suffer. But this suffering is not in vain. Our hardships can lead to the encouragement and blessing of those who are also suffering. God can use the pain we share in Christ to give hope and provide comfort to those who need it most.

The word comfort is used 11 times in this passage and means “to console with strength” or “to come alongside and help.” God’s comfort puts strength in our hearts to not only face our difficulties but to overcome them. So, as God comes beside us and consoles with His power in our challenges, pain, and disappointment, may we, in turn, channel that same comfort to our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

The Lord is sufficient in and of Himself to comfort and lift people, but sometimes He desires to use other believers to provide the encouragement we need. When we are discouraged or overwhelmed with our circumstances, the tendency is to focus on ourselves and our feelings only. However, in Christ, we are built to comfort, not for comfort. We receive it in faith from the Lord and then give it to others.

Read This Week: 1 Corinthians 16

A great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. – 1 Corinthian 16:9, 13-14 NIV

Metaphors and analogies centered on the “open door” are prevalent. We often use them to encourage an individual or group to take advantage of an opportunity that lies before them. Sometimes, we evoke this word picture to communicate the importance of a moment and the urgency we should take to seize it. Other times, we use it to stress the wisdom needed to make the right choices and even apply it when describing the personable or inviting nature of a leadership style.

The “open door” is a versatile and powerful metaphor to teach and point us toward greater truths. The Apostle Paul uses it to state his intentions to visit the Corinthians as he concludes his first letter to them. He describes his open door as great, meaning it is something to value and regard as excellent. He uses this word because he wants them to know of his eagerness and excitement both to visit with them for an extended period and to take advantage of the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus there. Paul sees the open door he’s been given as a blessing from God despite the obstacles that stand in his way.

This heart attitude seen in 1st Corinthians 16 toward the open doors of life is a great lesson for us. Our paradigm must shift from the duty of sharing Christ with the lost and hurting to that of joy. We must be eager and excited when presented with the opportunity to serve God and others. We should see it as a blessing to build relationships and community with Christians and those far from God.

The way we view our open doors is so important because there will always be challenges and things that oppose our progress and ability to serve Jesus. Our plans can change or be derailed by people, circumstances, and sinful decisions. But, if we stay close to God, He gives us the faith, courage, and strength to see and embrace our open doors with the wisdom and uncommon sense to be successful and useful. We can effectively walk through the doors and make a real difference.

Paul had an open door of ministry, and that was important to him. May our chances to do ministry be of the same importance to us. The stewardship of opportunity is vital and we must change our lives to be in a better position to walk through the open doors that He wants us to pursue every day. Like Paul, may we place our faith in Him and His will, in spite of life’s difficulties, to lay hold of these opportunities while they are still there.

Read This Week: 1 Corinthians 15

For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:53-57 NIV

We were reminded once again last week of the brevity of life with the passing of NBA legend, Kobe Bryant, and his 13-year-old daughter. They, along with 7 other passengers, died tragically in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. What didn’t make the news were the countless others around the world who said goodbye to family members, friends, loved ones, and co-workers. But, no matter the circumstances, death is a reality for us all – the rich and poor, the free and oppressed, the famous and obscure.

It is always fascinating to see how different societies process and handle death and how people go about dealing with and answering the question of the afterlife. Corinth was a Greek city and greatly influenced by the philosophical assertions of the Stoics. Their ideology denied life beyond the grave and openly mocked the notion of Jesus’ resurrection. This fatalistic attitude had also made its way into the church, and Paul was determined to address it.

In chapter 15, he recounts for us the resurrection of Jesus and gives personal testimony to seeing the risen Christ. His powerful teaching on the resurrection presents us with the central message of the gospel. It is the greatest affirmation of the Christian faith that Jesus was indeed raised from the dead. This truth is the believer’s power for salvation (Romans 10:9) and assurance of eternity in the presence of God.

Without the resurrection, the message of Christ does not have ultimate validity (v.14). If Christ was not raised, our faith is without the forgiveness of sins and ultimate freedom (v.17). Had Jesus died permanently on the cross, he would not be able to deliver us from the power of sin and death. But, because of the resurrection, the sacrifice of Christ has an eternal meaning (v.19) and gives us hope beyond the grave (v.18, 54-55).

When we consider the finality of death and experience grief in the wake of losing those we love and care about, we can have peace. We can weep not as those who have no hope as Paul also wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4. We don’t have to fear the inevitability of death. We can remain committed in our service to God. We can be unshakeable through our hard times. We can still be passionate about helping others and love them with reckless abandonment. We can do all of this because of the victory of the resurrection and the hope it gives us now and forever.

Read This Week: 1 Corinthians 14

What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. – 1 Corinthians 14:26 NIV

The “building up” of other people seems to be an exception more than a rule these days. We live in a climate where everyone can express their opinion no matter how unfair, cruel, or uninformed. We exist in a culture where every mistake is sensationalized to a hyperbolic plane, and worst of all, we seem to banner criticism way more than compliments.

To build up another person is to talk to or about them in a very positive way; to make someone healthier or stronger. The writer, Jim Stovall, once said this about building people up, “We need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins.” Imagine a relationship, team, or community that does all of these things to and for one another. It would be healthy, affirming, and an empowering place to exist, work and do life. Everybody would win.

This encouraging type of environment is what Paul wanted for the churches in Corinth as he wrote chapter 14. He spends a majority of the section discussing spiritual gifts and their proper application in public worship and community. There were some in the church losing control of themselves as they used their gifts. Others were trying to put their gifts above all the others. Paul recognizes this and concludes this part of his letter with a reminder that all of the gifts are for one purpose – edification.

Edification in this context is the Greek word, oikodomē, which means the act of building up and promoting another’s growth in Christian wisdom, happiness, and holiness. The mistake the Corinthians were making and that we make, is to focus only on our gifts, growth, and edification while neglecting the building up of others. We often want to build ourselves up and for others to use their gifts to our benefit, yet we fail to use our lives and gifts to build up fellow believers. This omission in relationships and the church is not how God designed it and should never be the case.

The Lord is saying to us that we all have something to bring to the table. We all have gifts, talents, and abilities that He will use for his glory and the good of others. We must not only be interested in being built up personally but with whatever we offer – a song, teaching, word of encouragement, an act of service, an expression of a gift – build up and strengthen others as they do life with God. This passage ultimately teaches us that everything must be done so that the church may be built up. May we act accordingly.

If I speak in the tongues of men or angels but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV

Several years ago, the National Collegiate Athletic Association made a rule that effectively banned the use of artificial noisemakers from all athletic events. An artificial noisemaker is a manufactured thing that makes a loud noise or sound such as a megaphone, whistle, air horn, firecracker, or bell. The NCAA unanimously agreed that artificial noisemakers were not an authentic part of the experience and were a hindrance that could negatively affect the outcome of a game.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul is writing to a group of people that are arguing over the significance of their spiritual gifts. They are fighting over which ones are superior to the others and how speaking in tongues fits into it all. But Paul cuts right through all of that and says, “If I speak in the tongues of men or angels but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”

As they argued about the relative value of the gifts, Paul emphasizes love and reiterates that without it, none of the gifts matter. Without love, the gifts don’t honor God or help others. He says that we may be able to speak with the eloquence and power of an angel, but if we don’t have love, our gifts are artificial noisemakers. They are inauthentic distractions that hinder our true purpose as Christians.

All speech, action, and behavior that is not expressed in love is nothing more than a nuisance for other people. Our gifts, without love, don’t attract people to God and a relationship with Jesus. Paul even states that the absence of love negates our faith and reduces the good things we do for others to nothing. In essence, deeds without love, are not indicative of the Christian life and in the end, negatively affect the impact for God.

This passage makes it clear that love is the most important. Paul says in verse 13 that it is the greatest of all emotions and expressions. It takes precedence over all of our gifts, talents, and abilities. Spiritual gifts, no matter how exciting and wonderful, are useless and even dangerous if they are not used in love. Without love, they are artificial noisemakers, but with it, they become beautiful music that profoundly moves people and communicates the heart of God in a melodic and pleasing way.

God-honoring and effective gifts are ones underwritten by a love that is patient and kind and not proud. Love that honors other people and is selfless. Love that leads to forgiveness and peace. Love that does not tolerate bad behavior and is only interested in seeing the truth win out. Love that earns trust, protects people’s hearts, inspires hope and never goes away or fails. This type of love is supposed to be the real soundtrack to the life of a believer and servant of Jesus. This type of love makes all the difference.

Read This Week: 1 Corinthians 12

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit to form one body. Even so, the body is not made up of one part but of many.
– 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NIV

The season of giving and receiving gifts just passed, but remains fresh in our minds. Everyone enjoys receiving a gift. Those who would suggest otherwise are not being honest. To receive a gift is to get something from another person, and that is a special thing.

However, our first thought when we receive a gift is probably not centered on how we can use it for the benefit of others. We tend to hold tightly to the gift we receive and only think about how it can be put to use for our purposes. We fail to realize the joy, fulfillment, and blessing found in using a gift we receive to help or be of service to someone else.

Paul addresses this idea with the church in 1 Corinthians 12. Some members misunderstood and saw their spiritual gifts from God as something for personal gain and use. They regarded what the Lord had given them through His Spirit with pride and exclusiveness. Verse 7 directly corrects this attitude: “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” In other words, when it comes to the gifts, abilities, resources, and talent that God has given us, it is not all for one, it is one for all.

It is not just about one person and their gifts. It takes many different parts to make up a body. All are essential for health and wholeness. The parts are different, but yet they function toward the same unified purpose. Paul writes, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” No one, and their gifts, is elevated above the others. The body needs all of its different parts and functions to live, grow, and be of optimal use.

We need each other. Paul said, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” Each member needs the other members and no one can afford to become independent or function apart from the others. When a part of the human body operates on its own, the entire body can become unhealthy and even die. Just like the physical body, the community of faith cannot say to anyone, “We don’t need you!” Everyone is needed, valued, and necessary for the whole to be successful.

God’s desire is for us to come together, work together and use our gifts for the good of the community. We are a powerful force when we have unity to achieve the mission. We become unstoppable for the kingdom when we cease competing and comparing our gifts and start cooperating. We are exactly what God intended us to be when we realize it is not all for one, but one for all.

Read This Week: 1 Corinthians 10

“I have the right to do anything,” you say – but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” – but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their good, but the good of others. – 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV

Life does not revolve around us and our desires. Learning and knowing this is so difficult, especially when it comes to serving God and other people. It is not a natural thing to realize that we were created to live for something outside of ourselves and that our existence should not center around our recognition and pleasure.

We are innate self-worshippers that desperately need help to look beyond our interests and live for God’s glory and the good of others. Without the Holy Spirit’s help, we tend to choose behavior that only benefits and promotes our agenda. But in His power, we are capable of honoring the Lord and positively impacting others in the course of daily life.

This denial of one’s self to live for God and bless others is what Paul is teaching in 1 Corinthians 10. He calls attention to the principle of enjoying our freedom in Christ while understanding our responsibility to honor God before a watching world. We are responsible for making sure the regular activity and tasks of our lives are shaped and guided by the desire to glorify God. We are also responsible for building others up in the faith and seeking their welfare.

For these reasons Paul wrote in verses 23-24, “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say – but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ – but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their good, but the good of others.” Simply put, we cannot glorify God in our homes, workplace, or the community if our actions, speech, and decisions are causing other people to stumble. Not everything that we can do, should be done, especially if we know it doesn’t honor God and will harm another person. It is not about us.

The message here in this passage is not a call to run away from life. It is not a mandate to avoid people and the enjoyment of the normal, permissible things around us. It is an invitation to be selfless and live freely and responsibly in our daily activities. This way, God is glorified and other people benefit. The final prescription is found in verse 31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Read This Week: 1 Corinthians 9

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. – 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 NIV

Prejudice is a prison. It oppresses the heart and mind and keeps one from relating to and loving all people. It enslaves one to a baseless and negative attitude toward others. The emotional confinement of prejudice is damaging to all levels of relationships and has a lasting adverse effect on communities. Most importantly, it is a direct affront to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to the inherent love of God for all human beings.

A person of prejudice operates under the delusion that they are exercising their freedom of thought and feeling, but they are actually binding themselves from the beauty of the human experience. They are restricting their full potential in the world and any chance of bringing glory to God.

The Apostle Paul had a deep understanding of freedom in Christ and its power to overcome prejudice. He was a Jew who had an intense passion for his people, but he had a special calling on his life to minister to and share the gospel with the Gentiles. These two people groups had a long history of animosity and racism toward one another. Yet, Paul did not allow this to keep him from serving and doing life with both. He writes about his freedom to serve beyond his cultural and natural prejudices in verse 22 where he says, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”

This statement by Paul does not mean that he was inauthentic. He didn’t change who he was to fit his audience or please those he was around. He loved all people and understood the freedom God gave him to adapt his approach to different groups while overcoming cultural bias. How he interacted with and acclimated to various cultures never involved changing his spiritual identity or his message.

Paul’s ultimate purpose was for people to be saved and changed by Jesus Christ. No one’s race, background, or creed was going to stop him from sharing about Jesus even if his methods varied in how he shared. He wrote in verse 23, “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” The freedom in his approach never altered the true gospel and the life-changing blessings it held for all people.

To become all things to all people is not an excuse to compromise our faith or standards. Compromise is the inability to know what one believes. Prejudice is the inability to bend to another. The freedom and wisdom that comes from Christ in 1 Corinthians 9, gives us the ability to take a stand while bending to the needs of others.

May we take this teaching and example seriously and apply it to our lives. May the love of God invade our hearts and empower us to serve others no matter how different or foreign we perceive them to be. May we be consistent in our message while accommodating others in our behavior. May we take risks and move out of our cultural comfort zones so that one person may know and experience the love of Jesus for all of eternity.