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Self Examination
2 Corinthians 13:1-14
Pastor Tom Fuller
There comes a time in every child’s life when patience on the parent’s part ends, and accountability on the child’s part begins. As we begin this morning I want to share a little bit of an irreverent story on parenting by Bill Cosby entitled: The First Parent.
“Whenever your kids are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God’s omnipotence did not extend to his kids.
After creating Heaven and Earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing He said to them was: "Don’t."
"Don’t what?", Adam replied.
"Don’t eat the forbidden fruit."
"Forbidden fruit? Really? Where is it?"
"It’s over there," said God, wondering why He hadn’t stopped after making the elephants.
A few minutes later God saw the kids having an apple break and He was angry.
"Didn’t I tell you not to eat that fruit?" the First Parent asked.
"Uh huh," Adam replied.
"Then why did you?"
"I dunno," Adam answered.
God’s punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.
Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed. But there is reassurance in this story.
If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give them wisdom and they haven’t taken it, don’t be hard on yourself.
If God had trouble handling children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?”
Of course we don’t endorse the theology of the story – but the sentiment is perhaps about how Paul the Apostle must have been feeling about now as he sees the church he birthed going off the deep end so readily. He’s about had it – and sometimes even though God is patient with us His children, there comes a time when patience ends, and accountability begins. That’s what we’re going to study today – examining ourselves, bringing a little accountability into our lives as we examine what we really believe. Let’s look at the last chapter, beginning in verse 1.
1 This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent:
The reference comes from Deuteronomy 19:15 and refers to finding out the truth in court – that you can’t rely on just one person’s say. Paul uses the fact he has already addressed this issue twice before in person and now again for the third time in his letter.
Do you ever foul up on something repeatedly? I know in my own life there are things that do wrong and I can’t seem to get it through my head – and there are times when I hear a verse or a teaching and it just hits me square in the head – God reminding me again.
It does seem that the more we resist, the harsher the reminders have to get. We as parents experience this a lot: “Do I have to tell you again not to write with a felt pen on the walls?” Kids, especially little ones, seem to thrive on doing exactly the opposite of what we tell them. I think it’s in part due to our stubborn nature of independence.
When we grow up, of course, we no longer have that stubborn streak.
When it comes to the children of God, they too were stubborn. As Moses was giving the law to the Israelites, knowing their stubbornness said this:
Lev 26:18-20 "’If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. 19 I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. 20 Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of the land yield their fruit.
God had to have some way to get their attention because they weren’t listening. That happens to us too – now God isn’t going to make our gardens fail, necessarily, but He has other ways of making Himself heard – unanswered prayer, times of dryness in our relationship, that habit of everything we hear having something to do with what He’s dealing with us on …
Here Paul is saying: you guys haven’t been listening, “don’t make me come in there!”
On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me.
I like how The Message renders this: 2 Corinthians 13:2-3
If you haven’t changed your ways by the time I get there, look out. 3 You who have been demanding proof that Christ speaks through me will get more than you bargained for. You’ll get the full force of Christ, don’t think you won’t.
“The gloves are comin’ off, boys!” Paul says. I would not want to be in this position. I think for us, the key is, be open to God’s correction – you’ll save yourselves so much trouble.
And the trouble awaiting some of those in Corinth was not something they would have any defense for – because it would be by the power of God.
He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.
The model of Jesus Christ is: submission to the Father, then channeling His power to accomplish His will. “We might not seem that impressive” Paul says, “but make no mistake – that same power of Jesus Christ resides in us.”
It’s kind of like a windy day versus a tornado. We experience some pretty blustery days and we think, oh that’s no problem. Then along comes a tornado and you suddenly have no resources to deal with this incredible power that overwhelms you.
The false apostles in Corinth had a taste of power and thought they could match Paul – especially how weak he seemed, but they had no idea what kind of power really worked through Paul – overwhelming force they could not handle.
When it comes down to it, those that are sure in their faith in Jesus would be OK, following the true gospel – but those playing around with power and spiritual authority, making it up as they go along in order to gain things for themselves: look out.
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.
What is this? Well, the Corinthians had been testing Paul as to his authority as an apostle – it was time to turn the tables – time for a little self examination for the Corinthian Christians.
This wasn’t a multiple choice test on whether they could name all the books of the Old Testament and the names of the apostles and stuff – but it was a call to look in themselves and ask the question – am I really a believer or not?
If they relied on the gospel, then Jesus lived in them and was changing their lives – but if they relied instead on this new gospel that the false apostles brought – then there could be some question.
I don’t think this was a debate over whether a Christian could lose his or her salvation – that’s another discussion for another day – but Paul is trying to goad the Corinthians to think about the basics – to shake them out of this stupor of awe over the false gospel presented to them.
If you look deep, Paul says, you’ll find that you really haven’t abandoned the true gospel at all.
7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Paul is saying – we’re not out to be shown “successful” because you are successful – that’s a worldly way of doing things and just what the false apostles were doing. We may get trounced – but as long as you are moving forward in your walk with the Lord, that’s all that matters to us.
That’s really the hallmark of a good leader – who will put the needs of the body above his or her own need to be shown “successful” by big numbers, big dollars, big prestige. I know many pastors who toil in total obscurity, whose heart is for the health of the sheep, not the welfare of the shepherd – and I admire and aspire to that kind of character.
He finishes up the thought next:
9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority-the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
Paul is different than the false apostles – they used authority to gain disciples, he uses weakness in order to build a body – and uses authority only as a last resort.
11 Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Paul really sums up his message in the letter here. “Aim for perfection” may be somewhat misleading. The Greek word here means to “show improvement” or “put things in order.” The idea is to fix something that is broken.
The Corinthians needed to recognize that something was amiss, then listen to Paul’s words of wisdom and godly direction and instead of hurting each other by division – be of one mind and live in peace.
Boy, if we would only take those words to heart – if only we’d recognize when we have strayed, get godly counsel, then seek for the unity of the body of Christ – that’s when we will see God’s love and peace flourish in our lives and in the church.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints send their greetings.
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Conclusions:
Some thoughts from this chapter:
• God is patient, but there comes a time for accountability.
• Don’t confuse God’s patience with His acceptance of your behavior
• God doesn’t punish, He disciplines.
• The presence of God’s discipline doesn’t signal the absence of His grace
• If you find yourself in continual disobedience its time to question the strength of your faith
• Be open to receiving correction from a trusted brother or sister
Some overall thoughts from 2 Corinthians
• The book summed up is the classic struggle between the world system and the Lord’s character – and what happens when the world infiltrates the Christian community.
What happens?
• There is confusion over leadership, authority, and accountability
• There is confusion over what it means to be changed
• We equate power with authority – when the real power comes from weakness and submission.
• We take on worldly attitudes and ways
• The work of God in us and through us stops
• We can even get confused over who Jesus is
• We end up as a pawn of the enemy
So what do we do?
• Be discerning of the difference between the world and the Lord
• Be open to His instruction and correction in your life
• Be submissive to Him – working through your weakness with His power
• Be loving to others in the church – always seeking to build, never to tear down
