We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6(ESV)
Paul wrote these words to the believers at Corinth. Paul had concerns about the Corinthian Christians. “False teachers were a constant threat to the gospel and the early church.” (1.)
He had to repeatedly warn and correct the thinking of these new believers.
“The church at Corinth was weak. Surrounded by idolatry and immorality, they struggled with their Christian faith and lifestyle.” (2.)
I see a parallel between the Corinthian church and the Christian church of our day. Paul ministered to a weak church while the modern Christian churches seem weakened.
By weakened, I mean the church may have fallen under the influence of the world. We have churches in other parts of the world who face persecution and continue to grow in strength and in number. However, we have churches in my nation that struggle because they have allowed the ways of the world to penetrate into their way of thinking.
Paul tells the Corinthian believers to take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
The Message Bible states this passage like this: We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. (3.)
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are directed to filter whatever we see, hear, or think through God’s word in our obedience to Him.
In my devotional reading, I found that when learn and practice obedience, we are in the experience of sanctification.
1. Life Application Bible, (NIV) Tyndale House Publishers Wheaton, Ill. And Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich. © 1988-1991 p.2091
2. 2. IBID
3. The Message, Navpress © 1993-1996, 2000-2002 p.1596
I wonder how they did it. They must have learned to rely on God.
ReplyDeleteSandi: Yes, they must have. I had some friends, who are now in heaven, who demonstrated this principle to our church by living in full reliance on Him. Peace and Blessings to you and yours.
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