Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 2 Corinthians 12:14-16

What is true love? This world loves to throw around the phrase “Love is Love” and this world today loves to label Christians as hateful, but what does it mean to Love? A good example is, if you see someone standing in the middle of the road, and they are about to be hit by a car, the loving thing is to warn them, right?

However by the world’s definition of Love, they would want you to not say anything and let the person get hit on the road. True love warns people when they are in danger. If we know someone is in danger, especially for the eternity of their soul, the loving thing to do is tell them about it! Regardless of what the world says, the loving thing is not to remain silent or allow someone to remain on a destructive path.

When you go to a medical doctor, you want them to tell you the truth about your current condition, right? If we went to the Dr. and he just told us everything we wanted to hear, and yet we had a terminal condition, not only would this not be loving, but it would be unethical. As a Christian, you know many people’s souls are in a critical condition and need Jesus Christ. To allow them to die in their sins is not loving and your disobeying The Lord’s commandment of the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19)

Diving into our scriptures for today, the Apostle Paul is coming back for another visit with the Church, and he loves the Church as a Parent loves a child. This is the love God has for you also, as a parent/child relationship, Paul is greatly concerned for the souls of his flock as he would be for his own children. As a parent, we continually helped steer our kids to make good decisions, this should be the same for the Church. True love cares about the souls of others, not their opinions of you

Notice what Paul says here “though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” The more Paul looked out for the Church, the more they hated him, even though everything Paul was doing was for the benefit of their soul. People’s rebellious hearts make them push you away the more you try to help them. This is what Paul faced with the Church of Corinth. 

To love someone truly , especially in today’s world, is not easy.The ideas of what the world calls love is false, the world isn’t promoting love, its promoting the self destruction of your soul.  But as the Apostle Paul taught us, Love is patient, kind, not jealous or proud, it doesn’t keep a record of wrongs,  its not self seeking, its not easily angered, its not to dishonor others, most importantly Love doesn’t delight in evil but rejoices in truth, Amen! (1 Cor. 13)

I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 2 Corinthians 12:11-13

The previous devotional we looked at Pauls statements about the “thorn in the flesh” and a “messenger of Satan” tormented Paul. Sister Bailey started a great conversation about what is the “messenger of Satan” . And as I ponder these scriptures, Pauls next statements here actually make more sense to me. I believe Paul is referring to “False Apostles” as the Messengers of Satan

Paul makes the statement here “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you” In the previous Chapter Paul talked alot about false apostles, and then Paul shared his vision/experience of the 3rd Heaven. He didn’t want people to misunderstand his intention of sharing that vision. His purpose was not to glorify himself, like false apostles do, but to glorify God and give us hope for the future. Paul also lists qualities that he possesses and accomplished to qualify him as a real Apostle. 

Now as brother Damon pointed out, there were many “Judaizers’ ‘ attacking the Church during this time, sadly there are still alot of Judaizers within the Church today. But these groups not only blatantly attacked and tried to discredit Paul on a daily basis, but many were planting themselves within the Church to persuade others.

Can’t we relate to this today? There are many false Christians, false Pastors, false teachers within the Church that are trying to mislead people on a daily basis. If we preach the Word of God, they call us hateful, sexist, homophobic, some get thrown into prison, persecuted. Who is the driving force behind all this? Of course its Satan waging war on the Church

Now Satan influences people in many ways, music, movies, news, religion, ect. We see blasphemy spoken from all corners of the Earth, does that bother you? It should greatly disturb you, and this bothered Paul so much on a daily basis that he was tormented with these messengers of Satan. 

With great humility, the Apostle Paul asked the Church to forgive him, why? Because they had to financially support him. This is sad that Paul needs to feel like a burden to the Church because God has put a calling upon his life, don’t allow your Church to do this to your Pastor

There are many false apostles out there today, many messengers of Satan, know the truth by knowing your Bible, lean on the Holy Spirit, pray without ceasing, and Jesus Christ is the Truth, Amen!. 

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

When we think about the Apostle Paul and all he had experienced and accomplished, He is a Biblical superstar in a sense. He wrote over half the New Testament , he personally met The Lord face to face on the Road to Damascus, He worked with the original Apostles. So with all that said, God has a way of keeping us humble, and that’s exactly what he did to Paul

A few lines back we remember, Paul was teaching us about his vision or experience of going to the “3rd Heaven” or Paradise. This is enough to make any of our egos get puffed up. Think about how many books and movies have been written about people claiming to have gone to Heaven or Hell. So it would be perfectly understandable for this experience to puff up Paul. So Gods solution is known as the “Thorn in the flesh”

God allowed Satan to torment Paul with a “Thorn in the Flesh” Now there has been much speculation about what that thorn was, a disability or illness perhaps, but it was something that disabled Pauls life and made it difficult to live day to day. Maybe we can all relate to this, alot of us have “thorns in the flesh” and while it’s a struggle for our flesh, they can be a blessing for our souls, because they keep us humble and reliant upon God

Paul pleaded with The Lord three times to take away this “ thorn in the flesh” however Christ’s response is “my grace is sufficient enough”. Jesus wants us to lean upon Him for everything, this is a difficult lesson for many of us. As we want to fix our own problems or take control, however Christ is saying Be yoked together with me! (Matthew 11) The grace of God is sufficient enough for all our problems in life! Amen!

It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 2 Corinthians 12:1-5

These are some of the most interesting writings from the Apostle Paul. He speaks of a man who was taken up to the third Heaven, also known as Paradise, however its clear that he is speaking of himself, and just doesn’t want to brag about it. For those people who believe in “soul sleep” , the idea we don’t have a soul and just a body, Paul experience totally destroys their doctrine

Paul is describing what appears to be an “outer body experience” , He wasn’t fully sure if he was just having a vision or was physically taken, but he knew he was outside his physical body. If you have ever read people stories of “Near Death Experiences” this is very similar, so this just gives us a little glimpse into the afterlife by inspiration of the Holy Spirit

Paul describes the place as Paradise, and heard things that were forbidden for people alive to hear them. So this place where Paul was taken has to be so awesome beyond our comprehension that it can’t even be revealed to us. But it should give you peace and hope there is a Paradise and you will go there immediately after death

For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.  2 Corinthians 12:6

Now again its obvious Paul is speaking of himself, however in order so he doesn’t get glory or be built up as some great prophet, he decides not to reveal this experience as his own. Now if Paul was just looking for self glory, he would have been bragging about his experience, but his goal is to glorify Christ and not himself

So while we struggle today living in this fallen world, have hope knowing that Paradise is just a breath away literally, and it’s all because our great God and Savior Jesus Christ reconciled us back to the Father and sent us the Holy Spirit to live inside of us, Amen!

Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 2 Corinthians 11:22-26

This idea of your “Best Life Now” portrayed by the prosperity preachers is not only not Biblical, but its not reality. Let’s take a look at the Apostle Paul’s “Best Life Now”, he was beaten with rods, he was stoned, he was imprisoned, he was shipwrecked, the only reason Paul survived any of this was by the grace of God. We need to remember God is in control, and if God has a calling upon your life, he will allow you to complete it

Why would Paul want to take this life? Remember the Apostle Paul was a Pharisee (Philippians 3) Paul probably had a decent life as a religious leader, however on the Road to Damascus , the Lord put a calling upon Paul’s life (Acts 9) To the world this calling seems “foolish” again because the world can’t understand the things of God. However anyone who has been called by Christ, knows its the greatest blessing to suffer for Christ and His Kingdom

So when we become a Christian, or when we answer the calling by God on our lives. Don’t expect this is going to be an easy walk. Don’t expect all your troubles are going to fade away, in fact your troubles are just beginning. As Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciples, deny yourself, carry your cross and follow Christ” (Matthew 16:24) The first step is deny yourself, don’t expect a prosperous or luxurious life, expect to suffer for our Lord Jesus Christ

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:27-28

Notice Paul’s attitude here, even though he is suffering, hungry, in pain, Paul is continually concerned about the Churches. Paul is not sitting around dwelling on himself “Woe is me” No Paul is busy serving Christ and serving The Church. Paul is concerned about all the Christians that have been put under his care.

Paul has a servants attitude, the same which we all should have. How do we get there? By the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, we can’t expect to fulfill our calling by our own flesh we need the Holy Spirit every moment.

This is not your Best life now, in fact the good news is this is your worst life now. Our best life is coming into Gods eternal Kingdom when we are raised up by our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!

I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 2 Corinthians 11:16-21

Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, let them deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow Christ” (Matthew 16:24) Humbling ourselves is part of our sanctification with the Holy Spirit. The idea that we are going to exalt ourselves and win arguments with people is carnally minded and not led by the Holy Spirit. We are to humble ourselves to the point where we become fools for Christ

So what does it mean to be a fool for Christ? Let me give you an example, several years ago Ray Comfort released a video stating that the design of a banana demonstrates intelligent design of a creator. Atheists had a field day with this, labeling Ray Comfort as the “Banana Man” While Ray became the butt of all their jokes, God used this to launch his ministry into what it is today. So by Ray looking foolish for Christ, it actually was giving God glory and helping expand the Kingdom.

We can learn from this, don’t be afraid to be a “fool for Christ” , when you talk to an Atheist tell them “In the beginning God created the Heavens and Earth” To the world this seems like nonsense, but by speaking Gods word we are planting a super natural seed of truth. The Atheist knows in their heart that nothing can’t create anything, therefor logically there has to be a Creator, don’t be afraid to be a fool for Christ

The Apostle Paul says “Let no man think of me a fool, but if you do, listen to me as a fool” Paul is saying “Hey I’m telling you the truth, however if your going to reject me as a fool, at least listen to what I have to say, as you would other foolish people” of course that’s a paraphrase, Remember what Paul said “The Message of the cross is foolishness to them that are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

When we talk about spiritual things to a carnal world, the world will reject it as foolishness. However let them think your a fool and still share the gospel with them anyway! We are fools for Christ! Don’t worry about winning arguments , just worry about doing your job as a servant of Christ, to preach the gospel to everyone! Amen!

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.  2 Corinthians 11:13-15

One of the reasons many people are easily deceived is because they don’t know the BIble, they listen to the “wisdom of this world” The world will tell you Satan looks like a monster, with a pitch fork, with horns. Nothing could be further from the truth, as the Apostle Paul teaches us “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” 

The fact is , if you met Satan face to face, you would probably be mesmerized by his physical beauty, as Angels are beautiful creatures. Remember the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, the wicked people wanted to rape the angels because of their appearance. (Genesis 19) Think about all the women who fell for the fallen angels and mated with them, why? Probably because of their great beauty (Genesis 6)

So going back to this, Satan is extremely deceptive because he appears as an “angel of light” not a demon of darkness. So the world easily falls for his deception, because as humans we love physical beauty, we love things that appear to be light , yet the hidden agenda is darkness.

The Apostle Paul was warning the Church of false apostles who are children of Satan “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” This is why so many people are tricked by false religion and false prophets, because they are very deceptive, they appear to be for the light, many will even use the name of Jesus, however they are children of the darkness and their father is the devil 

Many of these slick talkers on your local cable channel are these false apostles, they tell everyone what they want to hear except for the true gospel. Their motives are all driven by their carnality. They use the name of Jesus with no fear and trick people into believing their false doctrine

How can we be so fooled? That guy can’t be that bad? You are deceived by the Father of lies (John 8:44) Satan knows the best way to deceive you is to pretend to be good, to feed your flesh, to give you exactly what your looking for! And because you don’t know your Bible, you don’t have the Holy Spirit, you follow the wolves that lead you into the pit

Paul says “Its not great thing if his (Satan) ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness” Notice Paul says Satan has his own group of ministers, he groomed a whole army of wolves who sold their souls to deceive the masses , Be alert because Satan is a roaring lion looking to devour! Amen! (1 Peter 5:8)

Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 2 Corinthians 11:1-4

If you go around and ask people, do you believe in Jesus? Most people will say Yes, however the real question is “Do you know the real Jesus? Depending on who you ask , you will  get several different answers. The Jehovah Witness will say “Jesus is Michael the ArchAngel”, the Mormon will say “Jesus is Satan’s brother”, the Muslim will say “Jesus is just another prophet”

The reality is if you are wrong about Jesus, it doesn’t matter what you are right about! That’s not an original quote, I heard that from Harold Hunter, but he’s right. Our faith all centers around Jesus Christ. The sign of most false religions is they use the name of Jesus, remove His deity and sprinkle in their own teachings. However the problem is their religions can’t save you! As Jesus said “I am the way, the truth , and the life, nobody comes to the Father , except through Me (John 14:6)

So Paul has more problems in the Church, he has a bunch of false converts preaching a false Jesus to people. As Paul says here “As the serpent deceived Even in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from your simplicity in Christ” These people were deceived by Satan, thinking they can use God to make money or power. Just as Satan told Eve you can become your own god, you will never die, these people fall for the same traps of Satan

However as the Apostle James warned “A teacher will receive greater judgment” (James 3:2) These false teachers are storing up wrath on themselves. They believe they are getting away preaching a false Jesus , however God will not be mocked! And as we know God is sovereign, and will allow these false teachers and use them to lead his sheep to Christ, God is in complete control

This is why it’s important you study your Bible, can you discern if someone is preaching a false Jesus? Can you discern if someone is preaching a false gospel? Can you discern if someone is preaching a false Spirit? As Paul says “Anyone who preaches a different gospel , let them be accursed” (Galatians 1:8) Amen!

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 2 Corinthians 10:12-14

One of the dangers about entering into ministry or serving The Lord, is when we have success, our flesh likes to take the credit. Our carnal side likes to puff ourselves up and likes to brag about all the things we have accomplished. I have visited Churches where the Pastor or someone lists off all “their accomplishments” like its a resume. 

But the reality is, we didn’t accomplish anything. Even if we toil or labor for The Lord, we still accomplish anything, God is the one who accomplishes it. We as servants of Christ, should just be thankful to be allowed to partake in this divine calling. If anyone becomes saved, its because of Christ, if the Church grows its because of The Holy Spirit, If anyone is called to serve, its because of our Heavenly Father, we are nothing without God

The Apostle Paul talks about this “We dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves, but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” We see this all the time, One Church will compare themselves to another Church, we are better than them! We do A, B, C, and D, they don’t do this and that. The error in your logic is the standard you measure yourself with. You believe you are great, because you compare yourself to others.

It’s like when you ask people “Are You a Good Person” typically everyone says “Yes” why? Because the standard they measure themselves is not Gods standard. They will say well I never killed anyone, my neighbor does X,Y, and Z, I’m a better person. But Gods standard, The Ten Commandments, says we are all sinners, we have all fallen short of the glory of God, as Jesus said “Nobody is good but God alone” (Mark 10:18)

Going back to patting yourself on the back, how well is your service by Gods standards? Paul goes on to say “But we will not boast of things without measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God distributed to us” Comparing your calling and Churches is pointless, because we all have different callings, we all have different circumstances. One Churches success might look like a fail to you, but its a Victory for Christ

In order to have the right servant perspective , we need to listed to the words of our Lord “If anyone wants to be my disciple, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24) Amen!

Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. 2 Corinthians 10:7-11

What does a Christian look like? Many of us have this preconceived notion a Christian should look like A, B, and C. However if we are judging people by their outward appearances , then we are not being edified by the Holy Spirit. All of us have a past, all of us were sinners that became regenerated, because we can use the story of our past for Gods glory

Think about when God chose David to be the King of Israel, when the prophet Samuel asked Jesse to show him his sons, he showed him all of them except David. They made the assumption, God could never use a young shepherd boy, but God said to Samuel “Don’t consider their height or appearance, People look outward appearances but God looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7)

It’s easy for us as humans to be judgemental based on looks, but we don’t know what heart the person has. As we know we are all given a New heart (Ezekiel 36) by the Holy Spirit, we need to be careful not to dismiss God’s servants because of our poor judgment, we need to be patient and allow the fruits of the Holy Spirit to be demonstrated over time (Matthew 7, Galatians 5)

This is where the Church comes in, as the Apostle Paul says here “For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which The Lord has given us for edification and not for destruction” Paul is revealing his Apostolic authority given to him by Christ, however this authority is for the edification of the Church and not to control people.

As we talked about previously , there is order and an authority structure within a Church, but we are not to abuse this authority for our flesh, We are to use this for the edification of the Church. As new converts come into the body of Christ, they need discipleship, they need to be taught and shown the ways of The Lord. This is part of our purpose and function as the Church, to edify and not abuse

Speaking of appearances, Paul says “By my letters some of you think I’m terrifying”, however his bodily presence is weak”  This is a good example of prejudging someone. Many in the Church felt that Paul was going to be intimidating , however when they met him in person, he was a small weak man. As we know Paul is a mighty warrior for The Lord, however if we just judged him based on appearances we would miss his heart, Amen!