Newsletter #259 - May 2000 - By Shepherds Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/

Many Christians falsely believe that the Bible instructs us to be humble before everyone. As a result the allow the world to make second-class citizens of them. We are to be kind ad humble only to those that deserve to be treated as such. Christians should always be humble before God. Don't ever allow someone to tell you that God's Word instructs Christians to be kind and humble to our enemies. They will take advantage of you, if you do so. We are suppose to be salty. We are suppose to make a difference because you have Christ within you. We are going to begin our study with the teachings of Paul.

2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

Paul is asking the Corinthians to allow him to be humble and gentle towards them; however, if he hears of strife and backbiting among them, he will be bold enough to straighten them out.

2 Corinthians 10:2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

This is an important lesson for you. You should be bold towards others, when it is deserved.

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

We do not use carnal weapons to fight Satan. We utilize spiritual weapons to fight the powers and principalities in dark places. I advise you not to fight these demonic powers unless you do so in the name of Jesus Christ. For it is His power that assures the victory.

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

If you attack Satan with carnal weapons, he will laugh at your futile attempts. Spiritual weapons are capable of tearing down any strongholds Satan tries to build in your life. Use those spiritual weapons boldly in the name of Jesus Christ. Satan will have you in his pocket, if you humble yourself before Him.

2 Corinthians 10:5 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;

Boldly cast away those things in you life that exalts themselves above the knowledge of God and that are disobedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Does the Word say to be meek and humble? No! The Word says revenge all disobedience. Take names and "Kick Dragon".

2 Corinthians 10:7 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.

Don't be deceived by the outward appearance of those that claim to be of Christ. Look in their heart. If they have Christ within them, it will be very apparent.

2 Corinthians 10:8 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:

Authority is not given so you can run over people. Authority given of God is for edification. Paul would not be ashamed to use this authority to correct and lift others up. That is true love.

2 Corinthians 10:9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

There was contention in the church even in the early years. Paul was accused of being bold in his letters, but weak in his speech and presence. Paul's character could stand up to these accusers on his wost day. If you follow Christ, be prepared for the world to attack you. Armed with God's Word, you can boldly set the world straight.

2 Corinthians 10:11 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.

They had better not tell Paul was weak to his face. The authority given him by God would allow Paul to be just as powerful whether by letter, or face to face.

2 Corinthians 10:12 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.

Wisdom is comparing your behavior with what God's Word states your behavior should be. Fools commend themselves and measure themselves by their own behavior.

2 Corinthians 10:13 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.

Measure yourself by God's Word, not man's words. What man has to say usually doesn't add up to much, and is often contrary to God's Word.

2 Corinthians 10:14 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:

Paul is saying we brought the gospel of Christ to you in the first place. Why are you listening to fools?

2 Corinthians 10:15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

That little seed planted by Paul was filled with hope that the fruit produced would be magnified many times.

2 Corinthians 10:16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Take the truth you have been given and spread the good news. If you want to boast, then boast in the Lord. Be bold in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 10:18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Humble yourself before God. If you do this, He will raise you up as a spiritual warrior fit to serve Him. God's Word will make you salty. Study His Word. You will become able to make a difference in this world of darkness. Let's turn to the Book of James.

James 4:10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Don't put anything, or anybody, above the Lord. That includes yourself.

James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

This only applies to your brothers and sisters. Setting yourself up as judge is dangerous. Why? Let's read the next verse.

James 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

There is only One that is able to save your soul or to cause your soul to perish. God is the judge.

James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, "To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:"

Come now, you who say, "I will go to a city and start a successful business because my idea is so fool-proof." Did you notice anything missing? Those who would ay this are leaving God out of the equation. If you leave God out of you decisions, they are bound to fail.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

The word "vapour" could be translated "mist". Life in the flesh is like the morning mist and quickly vanishes as it evaporates. The point is that you had better have God in your equation for this flesh life doen't last long. 70 years can vanish as a mist before your very eyes.

James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

You should do everything in the Lord's will. How do you know if something is the Lord's will? He will let you know in a hurry, if what you are doing isn't His will.

James 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

The word "boastings" should be translated "pride". Boasting in what you have done, or will do, with your hands is evil in the sight of the Lord. Humble yourself before God, and He will lift you up.

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Don't put things off. Procrastination, especially to do good, is evil. Include God when you are making major decisions in your life, and don't forget to ask in His will. You should always do work you are proud of; however, it is a sin to take all the credit for what you have done with you own hands, or mind. Give God the glory and the credit. Without His gifts you would be nothing. If you are doing God's will, your efforts will be blessed. If you aren't doing His will, you may expect chastisement. Always remember, God oly chastises those who He loves. hen He chastises you, kiss the paddle, and say, "Thank You Father", and straighten yourself out. There is work to be done. Humble yourself before God.

In His service,
Arnold Murray