Paul
the apostle told the Corinthian church members how he and his
companions were, “giving no offense
in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed”,
and in
chapter six and verse four of Second Corinthians, Paul told the
church members how they were, “in all things
approving ourselves as the ministers of God”
where we read:
in much
patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
The
verse begins, “But in all things
approving ourselves as the ministers of God,”
Paul began with the word, “but”
which
is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated “in
all things” or
“within each, every, the whole and everyone” “approving”
which means “placed, brought or banded together by way of
composition or combination” “ourselves”
which refers to Paul and his companions “as
the ministers”
or “one who executes the commands of another especially of a
master, servant or attendant” “of
God” which
refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God
the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”.
Paul purposed that he and his companions would “band themselves”
together as “servants” of God in everything they said and did.
The verse continues, “
in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,”
Paul added the words, “in much”
which means “with large and great” “patience”
or “steadfastness, constancy and endurance”, “in
afflictions”
which means “pressure, oppression, affliction, tribulation,
distress or straits”, “in
necessities”
or “calamity, distress or straits”, “in
distresses”
which refers to “dire calamity or extreme affliction”.
Regardless of the conditions, whether oppressions, calamities or
extreme affliction”, Paul and his companions were resolved to be
the “servants of God”.
When we think through
these words of Paul, we see how important it was for he and his
companions to be known as “servants” of God. No matter
what their condition were, they were steadfast in their resolve.
Jesus desires this kind of commitment, and He offers “salvation”
to all who will believe and trust in Him. When “salvation” comes,
“patience” will be required to continue in the faith when
“afflictions, necessities and distresses” come.
Next
time we see Paul adds to his list as he mentions, “in
stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings and fastings”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then,
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment