2 Corinthians 1:12-24 Unchanging

1 year ago
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Paul isn’t boasting about himself…he is boasting…or as some translations say…rejoicing…that as Jesus is his witness…his conscience is clear.
And what his conscience is clear about is the fact that he is not a hypocrite.
The issue Paul is addressing is that he had said in his first letter that he was coming back to see them.
He said: “I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia.” (1 Corinthians 16:5 ESV)
But that didn’t happen…his plans changed…and what he is saying here is that it wasn’t him that changed his plans…God changed his plans.
There were people in the church in Corinth who took his first letter to heart and prayed that the Holy Spirit would help them change what needed to be changed in their lives.
And there were some who were offended by his letter and wanted to debate his authority to say what he said.
It is the later group that accuse him of saying one thing but meaning another.
Paul however knows the truth…God had other plans for him.
He points out to them that if they are doubting his motives…he has only been a witness for Jesus to the world by the way he had conducted himself.
His testimony is that he has acted with simplicity and godly sincerity.
Think about that for a minute…can we say the same thing about how we behave in the world.
Because we live in this world…the world where we work, where we live, where we play…
Do you join in the locker-room talk at work? Do you laugh at jokes you aren’t supposed to be laughing at?
Is your walk the same at home as it is in public? What do you read, listen to, or watch at home that you would want others to know about.
When you are out with friends do you remain set apart for the Lord?

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