Thursday 14 November, 2013

Wow,  what a rebuke the Corinthian church received from the apostle Paul!   He did not mince his words.  We can see from this passage that the Corinthians didn’t think much of the Apostle Paul in comparison to other apostles.  In turn, you can readily sense the Apostle Paul’s frustration and disappointment in this early church.  Paul is saddened by their lack of maturity in that he has had to fund all three visits to this church.  Nor has Paul seen much evidence of turning from sinful behaviour such as gossiping, pride and sexual immorality.

The positive thing about this passage – yes there is one, is that Paul has not given up on this congregation.  It would be so easy to walk away with the lack of respect, paying your own way and sinful behaviour.  We see the father heart of God in Paul here.  Paul states that he wants “them” not their possessions.  He cares about them, otherwise why would he come back three times at his own expense.  This is a healthy reminder to us all not to give up on people because God surely doesn’t!  God l loves us too much to leave us the way we are, rather, he wants us to become more like Jesus.

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Dear Lord, thank you for not giving up on me, thank you for pursing me even when I seem disinterested. Help me not to give up on others but to be patient and persevere. Amen.

Written by Ainslie Woods