2 Corinthians Chapter 6
By Pastor Neil
What Do Christians Do When Things Go Wrong?
It is always interesting to live among the people of God and take note of how people respond to hard times. Sometime we find people pouring their hearts out over something that seems to us to be such a small thing. It puts me to mind of the saying “Minor surgery is what other people have”. When I have surgery, it’s MAJOR! Occasionally we pour out a story of what seems to us to be great suffering and then later discover that the person to whom we were speaking had, in their past, something ten or even a hundred times worse than what happened to us. Does it ever bother you when you are sharing something bad that has happened to you and your listener turns on you and “trumps” your story with a much more horrific story of his/her own? That’s embarrassing! It makes me a little nervous about my occasional “whining” to others.
My suspicion, as I read 2 Corinthians chapter 6 is that the recipients of Paul’s letter may have been a bit “whiney” to him in correspondence or information that made its way back to him. Read these verses, 3 – 10 and look at what Paul tells them about himself. He is defending himself against what he believes are false accusations or denigrations by others. Here’s the list of what he done:
1. He’s demonstrated endurance—he’s no quitter.
2. He’s had troubles, hardships and distresses.
3. He’s been beaten, imprisoned and in the middle of riots.
4. He’s faced hard work, sleepless nights and hunger.
5. He’s been able to remain pure, understanding, patient and kind.
6. He’s demonstrated the Holy Spirit’s presence in sincere love
for all.
7. He’s been truthful in speech and lived in the power of God.
8. He’s used weapons but they have been righteousness.
9. He’s experienced glory and it opposite, dishonor.
10. He’s experienced good and bad reports about his work.
11. He’s been genuine but been regarded by some as an imposter.
12. He’s been known and yet had some treat him as an unknown.
13. He’s faced death and yet he lives on.
14. He’s been beaten “within an inch of his life” and yet lives.
15. He’s faced terrible sorrow but still rejoices in the Lord.
16. He’s been poor and yet made many rich in the Lord.
17. He’s been reduced to having nothing and yet, through Christ, has
all he needs.
Now that you’ve read Paul’s list how does that make you feel. I’d be pretty embarrassed to share with him most everything I’ve ever whined about. So what does such a list do for us, for me? For me, it helps me put things into perspective. This is a fallen world and once we are born we are headed toward death. And that, taxes not withstanding is our “downward” spiral through life. But Paul is saying to us, this is an “upward spiral” when we put things into perspective and realize that through every trial and tribulation of our lives, we have the option to glorify God and to grow in His love and to enjoy His presence. I think I’m going to put my eyes, my attention on the positive side of life rather than to get weighed down by what I perceive to be my sufferings. Want to join me?
Click here to read 2 Corinthians Chapter 6
