This morning in our bible study we went through 2 Cor. 11. We had some really good discussion and I would like to share my thoughts. This is how I was challenged.
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Case Study: Some people define the Abundant Life that Jesus promised as a life of ease, wealth, and health. While it is right to praise Jesus for times of ease, wealth, and health, I think we are missing the mark if that is what we think the Abundant Life is. Let’s consider together 2 Cor 11. Paul no doubt, knew that to follow Jesus meant to live a life that is abundantly full. So let’s consider his Abundant Life through Paul’s autobiography of suffering. Buckle up.
A Call to the Abundant Life
Paul’s Sufferings as an Apostle [16] I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. [17] What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool. [18] Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. [19] For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! [20] For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. [21] To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. [22] Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. [23] Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. [24] Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; [26] on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; [27] in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. [28] And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. [29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? [30] If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. [31] The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. (2 Corinthians 11:16-31 ESV)
I wonder what Paul thinking after that 4th 40 lashes minus one? What got him through all of this? It was nothing less than the value of Jesus. Jesus and His mission are worth our experiencing the Abundant Life of Jesus even if that means hardship. If you have no idea how these verses could not be a contradiction of John 10:10 then maybe we need a more biblical understanding of the Abundant Life.
Want to know what the Abundant Life looks like? Consider Paul’s words “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Phil 1:21 That is the abundant life. This is what I needed to be reminded of this morning.
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