Who is weak in the Christian worldview? Well, compare yourself to the Apostle Paul and see how you measure up. When he wrote his second letter to the Gentile Christians in Corinth, he said…
I speak as a fool. I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
And he finished up his illustration of how he suffered for Christ by boasting. But not like Trump. Paul said,
If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
Now, tell me who is weak in the Christian worldview.
Does Paul’s tale sound like any pastor or minister you know or have known? No, most so-called church leaders these days are quite the opposite. They get fat off the double and triple services in their concert-halls-trying-to-pass-themselves-off-as-churches.
The only beating most of them ever endure is when taters run out during their fall potluck.
I know this all sounds harsh. And you might feel like telling me to stop lumping them all together (the pastors, not the taters). But it should be as plain as the smartphone in front of your face that the kind of truth Paul shared is not being shared in churches these days.
Because his results and life are completely the opposite of what you see in the guys behind the pulpits in American churches.
Sadly, they are the epitome of who is weak.
I doubt they will ever have to be lowered out of a window to escape punishment for sharing the truth of Jesus Christ. It’s not something I wish for them. But I do wish they could learn some lessons from Paul’s writings.
After all, he’s the one who, with the Lord’s inspiration and guidance, ushered in this dispensation of grace we now enjoy. And he was put to death for it.
Abounding Grace
If this was the last day of my life…
If this was the last sunrise I’d see…
I’d still thank the Lord for my days
And His abounding Grace to me.
If this was the last thing I could write…
If this was my final poetry…
I’d still thank the Lord for His word
And His abounding Grace to me.
If this was the last time I could pray…
If this had to be my closing plea…
I know I could say, “I love the Lord
And His abounding Grace to me.” © 2018 TF
If you go for Grace, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:
Get Rhyme and Reason delivered to your inbox for free.
It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.
Stay tuned,
