Quote:
You seem to believe whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach about a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different spirit than the one you receive, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. But I don't think I am inferior to these "super apostles." I may not be trained speaker, but I know what I'm talking about. I think you realize this by now, for we have proved it again and again.
2 Corinthians 11:5-6
Quote:
But whenever they dare to boast about - I'm talking like a fool again - I can boast about it, too. They say they are Hebrews, do they? So my. And they say they are Israelites? So am I. And their descendents of Abraham? So am I. They say they serve Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I've served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jews gave me 39 lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once they spent a whole night in the day adrift at sea. I've traveled many weary miles. I face danger from flooded rivers and from robbers. I face danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I face danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the stormy seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be Christians but are not. I've lived with weariness and pain and sleepless night's. Often I've been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food. Often I've shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
Then, besides all this, and the daily burden of how the churches are getting along. Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
2 Corinthians 11:21-29
As I read Chapter 11 the old saying "actions speak louder than words" comes to mind. In this chapter Paul is talking about false apostles and how they come looking just like true teachers of God's word. But they teach about a different Jesus, or a different Holy Spirit, or a different gospel. They don't teach for God's glory - only their own gain. Verse 20 says, "You put up with it when they make you their slaves, take everything you have, take advantage of you, put on airs, and slap you in the face."
Real ministers of God shouldn't act like that! In everything they do pastors should strive to do God's will and show Christ's love to others. Paul shows that he has pure motives by the fact that he gains nothing from all he is been through for the church - except for a great reward in heaven. He doesn't gain a new car or a fancy house; he isn't striving to get a raise in his paycheck. He striving to love others, and obey God.
I don't know about you, but it seems to me that when I'm with a group of people, or in a Bible Study. I can always tell the real Christians, because they're the ones that are helping to set up, volunteering to do something that no one wants to do, or taking the time to encourage someone. In addition, they usually are the quieter of the bunch. However, if you start talking to them you will see their wisdom.
I see other people that are the first ones to offer to pray, or always have to add their opinion to something about God's word. But they're walk never seems quite as strong. Like the false prophets that Paul is talking about, they only seem to do things that will help them in the eyes of others.
So which are you?
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