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WORLDLY OR SPIRITUAL CRITERIA?
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
2 Corinthians 10:7-11
John 7:24
 
“Do ye look on things after
the outward appearance?”
 
WORLDLY OR SPIRITUAL CRITERIA?
 
One accusation against Paul was that of his weak appearance. While they admitted that Paul’s letters demonstrated literary quality and boldness, they claimed that he was not physically imposing and strong, neither was his speech comparable to the oratory greats of the age (2 Cor 10:10).
 
Were the accusations true? While tradition seems to paint Paul as a short man with average features, we do know that he was physically able and vibrant by the grace of God to endure many arduous trips during his missionary journeys. With regard to speech, we have Acts 14:12 which records the people of Lystra likening Paul to Mercurius (or Hermes), the Grecian messenger of the “gods,” because he was the chief speaker. Thus, Paul had at least some level of oratorical ability.
 
The derogatory and inflammatory remarks by Paul’s accusers were made with an agenda in mind: they were designed to undermine the Apostolic authority of Paul and to detract the Corinthians from his letters and messages. By doing so, they were in effect pulling the Corinthians from Christ and His Word.
 
The Apostle Paul thus asked a cutting question, “Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?” Some of the opponents claimed they were from a Christ party (cf. 1 Cor 1:12), lauding themselves as being superior over others in the congregation. Paul’s reply was: If such regarded themselves to be of Christ, was he therefore not also of Christ? And if Paul was of Christ, surely he ought to be received.
 
The attack suffered by Paul was no different from that which was suffered by Christ in His earthly ministries. Many regarded Him as no more than a carpenter’s son. Others even accused Him of casting out devils in the name of Beelzebub. Christ’s reply? “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Judge by spiritual criteria, and not that of the world.
 
THOUGHT: Church leaders must be selected according to spiritual criteria.
PRAYER: Teach me to judge all things from a spiritual perspective.

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