Stewards

Ephesians 3:1-7   
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

Paul was given a stewardship of God’s grace to give to others.  Though a prisoner, he was free in Christ and used that calling to labor in the good news with words of life by grace.  He was shown deep things of God hidden in Christ and the scriptures in order to preach and teach, as well as to finish the scriptures through his hand.  These hidden things about Christ and salvation by teachings of grace began in Genesis, but were hidden before Jesus revealed them and the Spirit of God began living in His people to give understanding through apostles like Paul, Peter, James, and the others.  We are now all one chosen people in Christ, heirs of His promise through this gospel, and the effectually powerful working of His word in it to us.  Thanks be to God for such an indescribable and wonderful gift of grace!  

Citizens

Ephesians 2:19-22   
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Being brought together from all nations in Christ, we who are called as His are members of the family of God who live in His house, the church that is His body.  The church’s foundation has a cornerstone which holds up the entire structure (who is Christ), the prophets and apostles who were used to bring us the knowledge of God and the grace of His salvation, and on top of this grows His temple of worship of which every brick is each believer.  This is a holy temple where God no longer comes and goes as in the old temple between the angels on the mercy seat, but now He comes to permanently dwell in each of us and as a whole.  We are the temple, individually and as a whole.  This mystery of the gospel is the reality of who we are as a reconciled and regenerated people, a spiritual new nation of sorts and its temple.  

Peace as One People

Ephesians 2:14-18    
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Though the temple court had a wall to keep out the Gentiles and the Law was seen as excluding them, God in Christ brought all together as one chosen people whom He called to bring peace with Himself.  Christ fulfilled the Law that we could never do, making it possible to make one people, a body that is the church, reconciling all who He calls from every nation, people, and language to Himself.  He did this through the cross, and so brought peace instead of certain judgment as He called us to Him through the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Now both Jew and Gentile come together by grace to our Father in the heavenlies, one people of God as promised to Abraham.  

Brought Near

Ephesians 2:11-13    
11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

We who were not born physically of Israel’s stock but spiritually of Abraham’s by the promise of faith, are not God’s children by the outward cleansing sign of circumcision.  No, rather we are spiritually circumcised in our hearts made clean and acceptable in Christ.  Therefore, we are no longer aliens to the covenants of His promises, but now have hope in Christ as God’s chosen children as well.  He brought us to Himself, calling and drawing us out and into fellowship with Himself.  He did this by dying for us and covering our sin by His blood.  God’s children include all by faith in Christ who are cleansed in the heart by Christ’s righteousness, and are now all brought near to Him by the promise and covenant of grace.  

Rich in Mercy

Ephesians 2:4-10    
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

God’s great love and untold storehouse of mercy shed grace on us who are hopeless sinners.  We were born dead in sin, and He gave us undeserved life with Christ in His death to pay our debt.  He then raised us to life as He raised Himself from the grave, resurrecting us spiritually to a new life that has an inheritance in heaven with Christ.  This grace put on display for all time saves us from wrath and the hell prepared for the disobedient, both angel and man, and is not something that can be earned by doing good.  This free and unobtainable gift was given by God’s mercy and love so that we can never say any of it was our accomplishment or choice.  He made us as an intimate expression, in His image, that we might then do good not even as a result, but as we were planned to be by His good design.  This then is how we must live.  

Death to Life

Ephesians 2:1-3    
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

We who are now alive in Christ were once as every son of Adam born, dead in sin and opposed to God and all righteousness defined by His standards.  We used to live for our lust for pleasure and set our minds opposed to and even with hate and disdain toward God, children of God’s wrath and facing His just and fair punishment for it.  We followed the serpent’s lies as the rest of the world in an attempt to be autonomous instead of obedient and reliant on the Father who alone knows best.  This temporary prince of this present darkness enslaves all of the first Adam’s offspring who can only be set free from sin’s tyranny of the soul by the second Adam, Jesus the Christ.  We now and forever live in Him, justified and forgiven by grace! 

Underfoot

Ephesians 1:22-23    
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

All that is made is under the authority and power of Jesus Christ the Lord.  He is the sovereign king who bought the church at the price of His own sacrifice of suffering to death.  He rose from death to life to prove who He is and give us the hope of resurrecting to be with Him forever.  This One is the head of the church, of all true believers who know and follow Him after being justified and regenerated.  We who are these reborn people of God are therefore His body of whom He is that head of authority and rule as Lord, and are in Him who is everywhere and in everything, for God is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient.  God the Gather did this in and as His Son, and we serve this mighty God as His chosen people. 

Prayer to Know

Ephesians 1:15-21   
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Faith and love for Jesus Christ bring thankfulness to those who minister the gospel, as well as other believers.  We can pray these things for all believers as Paul did for those in Ephesus here.  We ask God to give wisdom and reveal Himself in knowing about Him from the scriptures after knowing Him intimately, then building on that knowing to be growing in Him.  We pray for understanding the hope we have as the called, the elect, of the church who are His bride.  We ask for understanding of the value we have to God as His inheritance in us and the glory that brings to Him.  Let us not forget to pray for grasping His infinite power working in us by the resurrection of Christ (and so of us as well in Him), and of the Son sitting in authority in heaven as Lord, reminding them He rules over all as omnipotent Sovereign of all things forever.  We pray, therefore, for spiritual and intellectual understanding of who Christ is and all He has done for us, building the faith and love of and for our Lord in each other. 

Predestined on Purpose

Ephesians 1:11-14    
11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.   13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

What is our inheritance in Christ?  We have been chosen by His will for His purpose, not our own self determination or goodness.  This is to give Him praise, much like the angels around the throne singing praises to the one who alone is worthy.  We inherited the ability as adopted children to one day stand and bow before the sovereign one with praise continually on our lips in thankful adoration.  How did we get here?  We heard the words of life and truth, the gospel, and trusted Him for who He is and all He has done to save us and make us new.  He then sealed us as eternally His by living in us as His Spirit, marking us as His adopted children forever as He planned from the beginning.  We are guaranteed our inheritance until He returns or we meet after death, bought back fully to glorify and praise Him who has done all this to we who deserve nothing.  By such grace we inherit eternity as His to be in His presence!  

Mystery of His Will

Ephesians 1:7-10    
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

We have been bought back from our alienation from God caused by disobedience in Eden by Adam and Eve.  The price was a blood sacrifice, a life for a life, Christ Jesus taking our punishment of justice and dying where we should have.  Therefore we find forgiveness in His boundless grace that demonstrates God’s great wisdom and sensible understanding revealed to us as His will in calling us out and saving us.  He not only planned this, He finds great pleasure in this purpose to set a time to send His Son to redeem His chosen people as He did with Israel.  God now brings us together in Christ as promised to Abraham, of Israel and all other nations, adding from this creation us to all that is good in heaven.  He died so we can live with Him.  

Blessed by the Blessed

Ephesians 1:3-6    
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

God who is blessed has so blessed us in Jesus Christ the Lord who is ours.  He has given blessings in the place of His dwelling in heaven, come down to earth as He came down and became a man.  He chose us before creating the world, not waiting for us to choose Him, and that was to make us like Him as set apart and righteous by His love.  In this predestination, this setting events in order before they were to happen, He knew us intimately before we were in Christ and did not merely see our choice ahead of time (Ps.139:16).  He chose us before time to be adopted in His time as His children through His Son, His very word manifested as a man with us.  This was solely by His pleasure and grace, not our deserving or earning.  These things all bring God glory and His grace to us as He has made us acceptable to stand in His presence in Christ’s work and righteousness! 

Ephesians - Called

Ephesians 1:1-2    
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:   2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul begins the letter to the church at Ephesus by identifying who he is, a messenger of Jesus Christ (apostle).  Then he adds that this calling is ultimately by God’s will, not his own choice or even the choosing of him by others in the church.  He addresses the Christ followers as holy and set apart ones, saints whom God also called out by His choosing.  They are called faithful, assuming that they are following Christ sincerely and with desire to do so.  Therefore, after setting the stage of who he is and they are, all chosen by God’s will in Christ, he passes blessings and prays they know their peace with God in Jesus Christ, their Lord and master, and the grace of God who chooses to give these gifts willingly to them.   

Walk by the Rule

Galatians 6:16-18    
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.  17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.   18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Paul sums up the call to sound teaching and the freedom of the grace in Christ alone with a reminder of God’s blessings of His mercy and peace for those who follow Christ in spirit and in truth.  He then reminds them of the suffering he endured for the cross and gospel’s sake for them as the answer to detractors and false teachers, ending with a prayer for the Lord’s grace to work alongside them in these things.  We also have His Spirit of truth and the sound truth of the Scriptures to lead us safely through all attacks, both from without and within.  Grace and peace as you keep in step with these. 

Compelled

Galatians 6:11-15    
11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Paul personally addressed the Galatians, not to show how good he was as those who tried to mix Judaism with gospel truth and freedom, but that they would imitate Christ and follow Him as Paul spoke and walked it out for them.  He made it clear that persecution and suffering were part of Identification with Christ, and keeping the Law in the ritualistic sense to avoid trouble was trouble with God.  Boasting should only be in Christ and what He has done for us, not in what we do as an attempt to gain God’s grace.  Paul clarified by identifying with the cross of crucifixion as death to the world and Identification with Christ’s suffering - and new life.  We are made new, forgiven and free with the Law now written by God’s finger on our hearts (not on stone tablets) to move our hands, not by us moving hands to make our own righteousness.  Christ compels us now, not the words and commands of men.

Pass it On!

Galatians 6:6-10    
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.   7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

We are to pass on what God teaches us by those He has called and gifted to teach, as well as each one of us who have followed and grown in the word.  Knowing must result in growing in ourselves, and then to others by discipleship.  But what we plant in our souls must not be things that feed our fallen nature and corrupt us out of His image we are being conformed to; instead we should be sowing to the new by yielding to His Spirit of holiness and good fruit by righteous choices.  When we so live, it is easy to become tired of doing good and to give up trying in a world opposed to good, but patience brings good crops.  We are to do what is right for God’s glory and others’ good.  This is vital within the church body between Christ followers.  We are therefore to do good and share the word and deeds, not losing heart even when few do this.  

Burdens and Loads

Galatians 6:1-5    
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

Church discipline begins between individuals settling wrongs with forgiveness, but extends to the church leadership as well.  We are to aim to restore, not punish.  We are to use gentleness, not force or threats, which only lead us into sin as well.  This is how we help others carry burdens that are too heavy for them to bear, keeping in mind hat there are also loads of responsibilities they must bear and be responsible for as well.  It is not about who is more spiritual or deserving (or undeserving), but doing as Christ would do and each being accountable to Him for what we do personally and for each other in the body.

Fruit of Change

Galatians 5:22-26    
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Contrary to the works of the flesh of the fallen natural man in the previous verses, here the outworking of the Spirit in us shows as qualities of God.  He is conforming us to His image which was seemingly hopelessly marred by sin, and these come as we do not try to do them as works of the Law, but realize His working of them is how He puts His Law in our hearts by His Spirit and a new heart.  We must count ourselves dead to sin, as if we were nailed to a cross also, then choose to yield to His leading to keep in step with His Spirit as we follow.  That is what disciples do.  When we are then changed, this must not lead us to think it is our accomplishments or badger others to mature as we do, nor be jealous of others who God has sanctified further.  Our contentment is in Him and His work in each of us.  

Nature of the Fall

Galatians 5:19-21   
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The nature of fallen man, the flesh, is seen in this long list of sinful outworkings.  All these violate the commands to love our neighbors as ourselves, and so also violate the command to love God with all we are.  If these are our lifestyle, then we have no eternal inheritance, and are most likely unregenerate.  When we follow God’s Spirit in us, these fade away. This is why the previous verses told us to keep in step with His Spirit to not give in to the fallen nature’s tug on our souls to pull us back.

Spirit or Flesh?

Galatians 5:16-18    
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The Spirit or flesh?  Which do we allow to lead us and control us?  If we choose to yield to God’s Spirit living in us, then we find ourselves not choosing to live for our own self serving desires. We become God-pleasers.  The struggle is very real of the fleshly desires of our Adamic fallen nature as it rails against the Spirit in continued rebellion, even after being set free from the Law of sin and death!  This struggle within is not the little devil and angel on our shoulders as some want us to believe, but the new against the old, and we often end up doing what we know we don’t want to.  But the answer is in yielding to the Spirit to lead us, not our own wants.  It is a daily choice and direction adjustment of our souls.  

Freed to be a Slave

Galatians 5:13-15    
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

We who are called out in Christ are called into freedom in Him from the Law of sin and death.  This does not give us the right or reason or excuse to serve ourselves because we no longer face eternal judgement to condemnation, but instead gives us the call into love and good works as a thankful response and a driving desire to be holy as He is.  This is the Law now written on our hearts and ministered by His Spirit in us as led by His word that instructs and guides us.  After love for God, love for our neighbors is essential to this freedom as to what we have been bought.  As he says here, beware that we don’t get caught up again in hate, or it will consume us. 

Offensive Living

Galatians 5:7-12    
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.   11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

Paul reiterates how well those in the Galatian churches had begun in Christ, then asks how they could let someone stand in the way of the truth they had heard and known.  This false teaching is not God’s, and tolerating or even accepting a little of it is like yeast spreading inflated (but false) ideas through the whole church.  Yet Paul still had hope for them to go back to the unity of the faith and to let the false teacher face God’s judgment.  He focused not on the works and signs of the Law, but on the offensive cross of Christ.  It is both an offense to the world and our offensive answer to salvation by works.  Those who preached circumcision as essential nullified the cross and did not see God cutting sin back from our hearts, but instead saw only a literal foreskin cut off as an outward attempt of a work to demonstrate righteousness.  True righteousness is in Christ alone, imputed (reckoned to our account) but never imparted (handed over) to us because we earned it. 

No Yoke to be Free

Galatians 5:1-6   
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

We stand on grace’s freedom by faith, bought at the price of the body and blood of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ.  Why get caught up in trying to earn or keep salvation by attempting to attain our own righteousness, when the very Law used to do so proves it impossible?  If we try, like these Galatians, to be identified with the Law of impossible works by circumcision (its entry requirement and identification), we would have to flawlessly keep the whole Law.  That is not possible, and is a departure from trusting in God’s grace in Christ alone.  It is faith from God’s love in mercy and by our love in trusting response that works in us, not our works which come ever short.  His Spirit in us reminds us and proves with certain hope that righteousness of salvation by faith.  

Children of Promise

Galatians 4:28-31    
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

We who are of Christ are His children by the promise given by faith as to Abraham.  Those relying on a law of good deeds and the do’s and don’ts of religious bondage oppose this grace in which we stand by that faith we are given, but we know God will not accept them in His covenant promise while they continue as slaves to that law.  We are free children, born of faith by grace and mercy, reconciled to the Father through the Son’s righteousness.  We who inherit the kingdom as the free woman’s heirs are free indeed, not bound in the power of sin wrapped in its bondage any longer.  We are born of God’s Spirit and no longer of the flesh. 

Covenant of Faith

Galatians 4:21-27   
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:

“Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear!

Break forth and shout,

You who are not in labor!

For the desolate has many more children

Than she who has a husband.”

The Law points back to the promise to Abraham through his son Isaac by faith and the slavery of the bondwoman, Hagar.  There was a symbolic parallel to these in the covenant promise of faith for a new Jerusalem in heaven, along with that covenant of the Law’s bondage given on Mount Sinai.  The covenant Law of commandments leads to enslavement of never ending works to try to obtain perfect obedience, which is impossible for we sinners.  The covenant of faith given before to Abraham and his descendant brings true freedom by faith and grace found in Christ alone.  Paul here asks why anyone would go back from grace to such works. 

Zealously Courted

Galatians 4:17-20    
17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Those with other messages and pseudo gospels go enthusiastically out of their way to pull men and women away from the gospel to, as Jesus said, “make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves (Mat.23:15).”  They will set rules that keep people away unless they run after those with these false messages, making one feel less if not zealously doing as they do.  Yet Paul tells the church here to be zealous instead for good, what is true, and not only when he is there to keep them on course.  He was teaching them discernment and commitment to the truth of the gospel they already heard and knew.  He worked long and hard to impart the scriptures to them, and was wondering how they could turn aside.  We also must stay the course of solid biblical teaching, not allowing enthusiasm to overtake the truth once for all delivered to His saints, and not always seeking “to hear some new thing (Acts 17:21).”  

Are Truthtellers Enemies?

Galatians 4:12-16    
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

Paul associated with the Galatians as a fellow brother and not one lording over them as he brought the gospel and nourished their faith in growth.  Though he suffered a physical ailment, he persevered with them, and commended their acceptance of him as God’s messenger, as an example of Christ and their servant.  He applauded their compassion for his physical condition, yet quickly asked them why they seemed to turn against him when he spoke God’s truth head on for them to deal with.  Even now, we find times when speaking truth properly in love can have fleshy retribution in response, as none of us find it easy to accept correction when it hits home.  The challenge is to take criticism and reproof as from Christ in others as demonstrated in their call by God, and not in a human sense.  

Don’t Look Back, Salty

Galatians 4:8-11    
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

Before we are regenerated, before we know God personally and intimately through Jesus Christ, we serve the idols of false gods all around us such as self-help, intellectualism, meditation, and even other religious systems and gods.  But when we are known by the God of all and thus also know Him afterwards, we should not be again relying on those empty things we were pulled away from by the Maker of all things.  We are set free from slavery of our souls in those things which give no honor or glory to the only God, so how can we dig up these dead thing when we have life that is unending?  Paul labored to teach these in Galatia, and by these same words labors for us by God’s hand and Spirit; let it not be in vain for us either.  

Heirs by Adoption

Galatians 4:1-7    
1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.   6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The chosen people of God were like children not of age who were heirs due to inherit an incomprehensible wealth.  Therefore they were not much different than slaves, having others over them until they were mature enough to handle the treasure coming to them.  Like slaves, however, they were in bondage to their sin as master until God’s time came to adopt them from slavery to freedom in Christ.  Jesus Christ was born in the flesh as we are, under the Law of our efforts to earn God’s pleasure (yet He as divine was perfect), yet set us free to be His children through His work in mercy and grace by faith, as we trust in His work and person and not our own any longer.  This is why He put the Spirit of His Son in us, to both seal us as His children and to enable us to live the Law of His heart in ours by His enabling for ability and desire.  As children, as heirs of God, we do not earn our place by the Law, but live it to please our one and only Holy Father, not men.  We cry out to our Father in thankful trust and obedience out of love instead of obligation now.

Children From All Places

Galatians 3:26-29    
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Faith in Christ that leads to salvation also adopts us as His children.  When we are spiritually immersed in Him, we put on Christ and are sealed by His Spirit who then lives in us.  We are in that sense baptized into Him.  This adoption as the called out people of God includes not just the Jews, but those of all nations as promised to Abraham, without limitations on race, gender, language, or ethnicity.  His adopted children are one family, heirs to the riches in Christ in eternity by that promise of faith found in Christ alone.  What a wonder to be called into God’s family!  

Teacher of the Law

Galatians 3:21-25    
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Though the Law came after the promise, it is not set against that promise, it simply could not give a reconciled life with God of itself.  The only righteousness is by this faith of the promise, not imperfect works attempted by means of keeping the Law.  The Law only proved we are trapped in sin and destined for the resulting judgement revealed by the Law pointing out the areas we fail in thought and deed.  Yet the Law kept God’s people under guard to be prepared for the faith in the Christ to come, teaching us right from wrong and our inability to not do wrong.  Our means of justification with God then is only by that faith in Christ alone, and that faith graduates us from the Law of requirements into His marvelous grace of undeserved mercy and forgiveness.  Thanks be to God for His wonderful gift! 

Why Works?

Galatians 3:19-20    
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

The Law of God was given as an addition to the promise to Abraham 430 years earlier.  It was given because man’s sin needed to be shown by our failure to obey God in doing good over evil, and the Law pointed out the transgressions in our breaking of it.  The promise was still a covenant in effect, so the one to whom it would rest on and be ministered through was God’s Seed, His chosen or anointed one (Messiah).  He would meditate this covenant of faith with Abraham to His people from all nations, standing between us and God as the sole mediator able to do so.  The people of God “received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.” (Acts 7:53).  None of us can keep the Law completely and from the heart, and this is why it was given to make that clear, and to point us back to the promise by faith.  This is the gospel, that God’s grace by faith in Christ’s work did what our work never could. 

The Planted Seed

Galatians 3:15-18    
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

The promise of God’s blessing and Spirit in our hearts was given through Abraham 430 years before the Law was given through Moses.  This covenant with man by God cannot be changed or overridden, not even by the Law.  He gave the promise of faith to the Descendant of Abraham in the earthly lineage who is Christ, and this promise of salvation by faith alone is confirmed in Christ alone to us.  The Law cannot promise this inheritance of the faith of Abraham.  Only the original covenant by faith promises salvation, which is why the Law cannot save; it can only point us as a teacher to our sin and need of a Savior who offers this same promise of salvation by faith as to our father in faith, Abraham.  

Faith’s Redemption

Galatians 3:10-14   
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”   13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Law is a curse to all who fall under and rely on it to be acceptable to God, for it must be followed to the letter and completely to meet God’s standards.  None of us can ever do this.  Furthermore, God also told us that we must live by faith, trusting Him alone, to be justified or made right before Him.  This is the good news that brings life in His words which point us to the buying of us back by the one who became the Law’s curse in our place.  Jesus the Christ hung on a tree as the word showed, becoming that curse yet completely fulfilling the Law - innocent and still assuming our penalty for our  failure to follow the Law.  He died as punishment for us so that we by faith can be seen in the light of His righteousness which we could never attain, and have His Spirit live in us to put the Law in our hearts.  This free gift allows us to be bought back, forgiven by trusting in His work, not ours.  This is amazing grace and great news!  

Faith’s Blessing

Galatians 3:5-9    
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

God does wonderful things we cannot explain, including giving of His own Spirit to live in us!  This is not obtained by reason or hard work to clean us up to be able to approach God, but by hearing and trusting who God is and what He has done in Christ for us.  Abraham did this and that trusting faith in what God said as absolute and reliable truth brought the righteousness of God in His eyes as He looked at Abraham after that.  We are his descendants who likewise believe God in Christ, and are so justified by Christ’s righteousness in that trusting belief that has acted to rely on God.  This same Abraham was told also that we of all nations would be called to so trust for God’s righteousness and the resulting salvation from our sins’ due punishment.  We are truly blessed along with Abraham in this faith in God’s salvation!  

Foolish!

Galatians 3:1-4    
1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

Paul used the word for “casting an evil eye,” or bewitched, to show how the Galatians were fooled into not obeying the gospel of grace by faith in Christ alone who was clearly crucified for their sin.  Still they bought the lie that they had to earn salvation by being good enough through keeping the Law instead, the very thing Christ came to do for us since we are infinitely unable to do so ourselves.  They forgot they had God’s Spirit to rule over and transform their flesh to sanctify them, to make them more like what God intended in Eden, as a daily work of God in us.  All they suffered was never for nothing, but all for their discipline and growth, yet they wanted to work out their salvation by their own will and effort instead of relying on God’s work in and through them (Phil.2:12-13).  Let us not be likewise foolishly bewitched.  

Sinners in Grace

Galatians 2:17-21    
17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

We have been freely and completely justified, saved, by Jesus Christ while we were sinners.  That does not mean Christ condones sin and we can continue in it because our works cannot earn salvation, only His grace.  Instead, we build on that pardon from sin so that we live for God His way in obedience and with righteousness as the aim of our choices.  Our identity in Christ is as if we died on that cross with Him where He nailed the handwriting of requirements (the law) to that wood and we left them there by death together, rising again in newness of life.  Now we live by trusting Him who lives within us, the one who so loved us to die in our place when we were still His enemies.  This grace brings His righteousness which cannot be earned by what we do, yet leads us to desire to please Him by righteous obedience afterwards.  He did not die in vain because our righteousness always comes up short, but effectually died so we can live in Him alone. 

Faith in Christ Justifies

Galatians 2:15-16    
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

The Jews considered themselves righteousness solely as the chosen people of God, and so considered all other nations as sinners.  Jesus made it clear that the gospel is in Him, not by the works obeyed from the Ten Commandments or any other part of the Law which was given to point to our sin and His righteousness.  The bad news is that we all are born in sin and cannot ever do good perfectly enough to meet God’s standards.  The good news is Christ justifies those who acknowledge these facts and trust in Him who justifies the ungodly.  Those chosen and called out to and through Jesus Christ alone are made right with God for eternity, not those who work toward goodness or attempt any other way. 

Live it Straight

Galatians 2:11-14    
11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.   14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

Peter feared the judgment of others over the entire truth of the gospel, namely that it is to all peoples, tribes, nations, and tongues.  He would not break Jewish tradition and associate with non-Jews when around the other Jews, but would eat with the foreigners when those Jews left.  Paul addressed the hypocrisy because it even carried faithful Barnabas into that sinful behavior.  The truth of God’s gospel is toward all men, that is, those called from every nation, not just the one people through whom it came.  Paul then asked Peter how he could force others to live as a Jew when he lived as a non-Jew when not under the scrutiny of his people.  We are to live the gospel to all people, not only the ones we choose, and not stop when fellow believers judge for doing what is right.  

Favoritism vs. Following

Galatians 2:6-10    
6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.

Paul realized that the apostles were no better for their position alone, as God is impartial to those He calls and uses.  What was important was God’s calling, Peter to the Jews, and Paul to the nations.  Then the apostles saw God’s hand of grace on Paul and Barnabas, welcomed them, and supported their ministry of the gospel to those outside of the perceived chosen people of God, Israel.  They overcame the notion that God only called Jews, and then only asked that they meet the needs of the poor in addition to preaching the gospel.  God’s call on men today follows this pattern, namely that others in the church leaders recognize His hand and support the called ones.  

Never Submit

Galatians 2:1-5   
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Paul was shown by God that he had to go with Barnabas and Titus to Jerusalem to tell the gospel that he preached to the nations.  He also preached these words of life and reconciliation with God in Christ to fellow Jews who had a standing among their people, telling them privately as Jesus did with Nicodemus so that he kept an inroad into their hearing.  The pressure to follow the law came from some who crept into the church to disrupt the gospel with added requirements and judgment.  Even these were jealous of the freedom seen in Christ’s people, and so they did all they could to re-enslave the believers to the law of works.  But Paul and company stood firm against the assaults and valiant for the truth.  We are given this example to stand for the gospel of salvation in Christ alone, not by a list of added works and guilt.  

Facing Unknown

Galatians 1:18-24    
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.).  21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.

Paul met Jesus face to face, and then went off to Arabia and came back to Damascus, the road he was originally traveling when he met Jesus.  But he stayed there 3 years before seeing Peter and the other apostles in Jerusalem for 2 weeks.  Then he went to Syria and Cilicia, preaching the words of life that pointed to the faith he once attacked.  God’s grace saved him, took time to grow him and know Him, and then he began serving.  This brought glory to God.  We also come to Christ, grow, and then serve when we are ready and mature by His work in us and leading of us.  This is how we also glorify God in ministering the gospel of Christ, knowing, growing, and following.  

Separated from the Old Life

Galatians 1:13-17    
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.  15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Paul was the chief of all sinners before his conversion as well as after.  He recounts before how he attacked the church as a good religious Pharisee, so eager for his old time religious traditions that he outdid all others in this attempt to exterminate the Messiah’s adherents.  But afterwards he recognized that God had chosen him to be born and called out in the grace of the one whose people he attacked, and who destined him to go to the nations his religious sect hated in their misplaced zeal.  Instead of hating the sin of the idolatrous nations, they (and Saul) hated those committing the sin God hated but loved as made in the image of God.  He was then called to reach those being called out of all nations as promised to Abraham with the same undeserved mercy and grace by the words of life in Jesus the Messiah.  We also are to see beyond the partiality of hate and prejudice to speak life to those He calls.

Persuaded

Galatians 1:10-12    
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.   11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul did not persuade God to put a stamp of approval on what he came up with to tell others, nor did he seek to get the crowd’s approval.  He persuaded men with the truth of God’s gospel, the words of life which were given him by Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit.  What Paul preached was shown him by God and communicated by him as His spokesmen, much like Moses and the prophets of old, yet different in the fact that he had the Spirit living in him that those before Pentecost did not.  He also differed from the other apostles in that he had seen Christ on the roar to Damascus, was told where to go many times, and was specifically encouraged by Jesus in Acts 23:11 to endure and eventually go to Rome to testify.  What Paul the servant said was from obedience to persuade men with the grace through faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ, not by his own reason or for his own glory. 

Cursed Messengers

Galatians 1:6-9    
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

The enemy sow tares within the church, hoping to replace the invaluable grace of God in Christ with another “gospel,” which is not good nor new.  Deception began with Eve and is alive and well, both in the time this letter to the Galatian churches and in the present.  Here we see troublemakers twisting the truth and pulling people away from the simplicity that is in Christ.  Paul warns that even if any man or an angel uttered a different gospel, they are cursed by God.  He said this emphatically and repeated it to assuage any doubt of the readers or hearers of this message.  For us today, we need to be valiant for the truth as Bereans who study zealously to rightly understand the scriptures and avoid these errors.  We can then defend the truth of the gospel so others hear the truth and are truly reconciled to God.  The truth determines the faith that saves souls.  

Galatians - God’s Messenger

Galatians 1:1-5    
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:   3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul was called and given apostolic authority by God Himself, Jesus Christ, and not by his own efforts or other’s attestation.  The God who raised His Son from the grave gave Paul a new life and a new calling to live it to and for the church.  He begins this letter to the churches in Galatia reminding them the instruction and care are coming from him and the other fellow believers with him by that authority, so the words can be trusted as God’s.  He offers God’s grace and His peace as he reminds them that is a result of Christ dying for our sins to save us from the evil world we live in.  This is eternally by God’s will and for His glory.  

Become Complete

2 Corinthians 13:11-14    
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.  12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.  13 All the saints greet you.   14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Paul’s final words to this church began with his desire for their spiritual maturity, their sanctification as Christ worked in them and they followed by Paul’s exhortation.  He also wanted them to have peace with God and each other as they obeyed the word of God and knew His love and peace as reconciled and adopted children as he told them elsewhere.  Paul blessed them with that grace and love in the context of the common fellowship they all had in His Spirit living in each one.  This is how it should be so, how we must live in light of eternity with Christ and toward one another.  We have much to learn from Corinth and from God’s messenger to the church there.  

Do No Harm

2 Corinthians 13:7-10    
7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

The minister’s heart wants those ministered and served to do what is right before God according to His word and will.  It is not to demonstrate how good or strong the servant is in helping others, but the truth working to transform lives for God’s glory and our good.  It is for God’s work and our completion, our maturation in Christ, conformance to His image, that gives those called His authority to build up the body of Christ.  We are to build as wise master builders on that solid foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, not on our own ideas, methods, or wisdom, and surely not for our accolades. 

Examine Yourself

2 Corinthians 13:5-6    
5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Paul urged those who questioned his authority in Christ to test that by all he said and did in the earlier chapters in this letter.  Now he points back to the doubters and accusers to test themselves for signs of proof in themselves that they are truly of Christ.  This is not in retaliation, but to judge themselves by the measure they are using.  He desires most of all that they are assured of their calling and election, their salvation, for that is what he taught them in the gospel and brought them to meet Christ’s grace by.  He further warns that if the changes of regeneration are not present, that disqualifies them, just as it would Paul and his coworkers.  For us, we need to only question our qualification if we see no sign of change within, such as being able to spiritually understand the scriptures, demonstrating fruit of the Spirit, possessing the love of Christ, and other such visible results in a new creation.  

Direct Speaking

2 Corinthians 13:1-4    
1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare— 3 since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

As Paul said in 2 Cor.12:14, he says again that he is coming for a third time to minister to those in Corinth.  He alludes to the test of a true witness being two or three and applies it to his testimony to them in three visits to validate what God is telling them through Paul.  This time, however, he warns them that he will speak directly and with God’s authority to those continuing in sin.  He will not spare the rod and spoil the spiritual child, in a sense.  Our weakness allows God’s power through the crucified Christ to live through the ministry to be strong in word to others.  This is the proof of Christ working through Paul and us; Christ crucified and risen, living in and through us. 

Transparent Edification

2 Corinthians 12:19-21    
19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

Transparent, humble honesty is at the core of ministry.  There are no excuses, only the awareness that God is ever present in us to witness how we follow Him.  Here Paul gave the example of building others up with no hidden agenda nor ulterior motive.  This is a two way street between the one ministering and the ones served.  If we do not humble ourselves to speak truth in love as Paul did, it opens the doors to the list of selfish unconfessed sins listed in verse 20.  He also pleaded with those who do not repent when their long standing sins were identified earlier when he visited, and is a warning to us all to deal with sin, both as sinners and as shepherds who serve and minister as called to do, with all humility and transparency.