2 Corinthians 6:4-7

New International Version (NIV)

As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way … in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left

For Meditation

It is the most difficult and oppressive experience to listen to President Donald Trump. Every time I hear him speak, he comes out as a proud and an insecure person who seizes every opportunity to toot his own horn with a deafening pitch. He commends himself to his audience with his accomplishments: money, property, business success, and what have you. He even brags about the size of the crowd that attended his inaugural ceremony with embellished figures that makes him a joke. He is a classic representation of the people of the world. They measure their worth in physical things and personal accomplishments. But true Christians do not measure their worth by those things that have no eternal value.

When the Apostle Paul was forced to defend his ministry and apostleship to the Corinthians, he did not boast in physical things and his personal accomplishments. He trashed those things, “for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus … and be found in Him … becoming like Him in His death” (Phil. 3:4-10). Paul commended himself to the Corinthians by the trials, hardships, and sufferings he had endured for their sake (2 Cor. 6:4-5). He talked about the inner qualities he relied on in his ministry, and the spiritual weapons he employed against the enemy: “In purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left” (6-7). Those are the marks of true Christian leadership that lends credence to the Gospel message and removes all “stumbling” blocks from people’s path. It is the picture of true Christian character and endurance for Christ’s sake.

1. What is your witness as a child of God?
2. How do you commend yourself to the world around you?
3. Are you boastful and worldly like the people of the world, typified by President Donald Trump?
4. Have you learned to endure all hardships and suffering that come your way because you have firmly decided to pursue holiness as the only lifestyle for you?
5. Do you confront opposition “with weapons of righteousness in the right and in the left” (7)?

I pray that between the witness of Apostle Paul and that of President Trump, your testimony will tip heavily to the right where Paul stands with our Lord Jesus Christ.

So: May you be a source of encouragement to many around you; and may you defeat all your detractors and pull down every stronghold in your life with the spiritual weapons Christ has graced you with (10:3-5).

Weak people boast in their physical possessions and accomplishments; but spiritually-minded Christians, boast in their suffering for Jesus.

Shalom