Done for You

Done for You

2 Corinthians 13: ⁵ Put yourselves to the test and judge yourselves, to find out whether you are living in faith. Surely you know that Christ Jesus is in you?—unless you have completely failed. ⁶ I trust you will know that we are not failures. ⁷ We pray to God that you will do no wrong—not in order to show that we are a success, but so that you may do what is right, even though we may seem to be failures. ⁸ For we cannot do a thing against the truth, but only for it. ⁹ We are glad when we are weak but you are strong. And so we also pray that you will become perfect. ¹⁰ That is why I write this while I am away from you; it is so that when I arrive I will not have to deal harshly with you in using the authority that the Lord has given me—authority to build you up, not to tear you down.

 

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“Here, take a pair of shoes” a friend said to me once. “Do you want a ride?” another friend said to me on another occasion. “You can do anything you put your mind to” were the words of inspiration from a mentor. All were blessings to me.

 

• I had nothing to give back to those who gave to me.
• I was in need and was not looking for a blessing, yet I received one.
• I was built up on a rare occasion while others tried to tear me down.

 

Paul is about to conclude his letter. He had addressed some difficult behaviors that were not of CHRIST. He let everyone know that each person must have their own relationship with CHRIST. The actions Paul did were not to get credit, but that each recipient would walk in CHRIST’s perfection.

 

My Observations

• JESUS is inside me and I am inside of HIM.
• I am prayed for by many and GOD sees all of those prayers.
• GOD has given me the authority to build you  up, not to tear you down.

 

Frustration yields words that tear people down. I mean, name calling, sarcastic words, murmurs and negative conversations all find their way on our tongues. BUT GOD despises every negative word spoken. What is the remedy? Build people up.

 

But what if “that” person has done me wrong? Build “that” person up. Placing “that” person up higher so GOD will see him or her places HIS vengeance or blessing on them. I strongly believe that what I wish would happen to “that” person will happen to me, so I better wish “that” person will receive huge blessings in spite of their sin. I am glad GOD gives me HIS authority.

 

Challenge

• What “success” is the writer speaking of?
• What does upholding the “truth” mean?
• Will you accept the authority to build people up, not to tear people down so GOD may do with him or her has HE pleases?