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FALSE ACCUSATIONS!
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8
2 Corinthians 1:15-22
1 Corinthians 16:5
 
“… our word toward you
was not yea and nay.”
 
FALSE ACCUSATIONS!
 
Paul confessed that he originally planned to journey from Ephesus to Corinth by sea, and then onward to Macedonia (1 Cor 16:5). However, when Paul wrote this epistle, he was already in Macedonia, missing Corinth all together. This caused his opponents to accuse him of “lightness” (v 17), a charge which Paul vehemently denied. Paul did not serve according to fleshly whims and fancies.
 
In his defence, Paul pointed to the trustworthy character of God. God is always true to His Word. His will always fulfil His promises. This same God was also the one who commissioned Paul to preach the Gospel. When the detractors accused Paul of being insincere and fickleminded, it was as good as levelling the same charge against God. Were they therefore trying to say that the promises which they had received in the gospel were unreliable and false? God forbid!
 
Furthermore, the validity of the Apostle’s message and ministry is further attested by its effects and results (vv 21-22). The Corinthian Christians have seen how they were established in Christ by God working through the Apostle. They have also experienced the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives which God had given to indwell believers as the earnest (i.e. down payment) of their salvation. The sealing of the Holy Spirit marked the Corinthian Christians as belonging to God. Since they have experienced all these spiritual blessings, why then were they doubting the integrity and truthfulness of Paul’s ministry?
 
The conclusion therefore is this – Paul changed his plan not because of ill intentions, but because circumstances had changed. This was God’s direction. Man proposes, but God disposes. The Corinthian Christians had been too quick to judge Paul and ended up with false insinuations, to the hurt of everyone in the work of Christ. Similarly, do not be quick to judge, but evaluate all things carefully and biblically. You do not want to end up being an accuser of the brethren. Beware!
 
THOUGHT: Do not be a false accuser like Satan, the father of lies.
PRAYER: Father, help me answer my detractors truthfully.

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