Daily Reading: 5-27-16
2 Corinthians 11:1-6 The Voice (VOICE)
Yesterday, I shared about the work of the Gospel and the necessity for our response. When we choose to respond, the work of the Gospel of Love rises up and begins to teach us to live Christ-oriented rather than self-oriented lives. A self-oriented life is simply being overly concerned with one’s own desires, needs, or interests. If we are honest, we can be preoccupied in our minds with ourselves. Jesus Christ brings a new focus to His followers: Loving God with every part of our being (Christ-oriented) and then turning to love others (becoming other-oriented) the way we have loved ourselves. Jesus loves us and affirms our individual value. He is not trying to diminish us; He is seeking to bring His glory to our lives. As Truth, He knows more about the work of deception than anyone and He knows our minds need to be renewed by the Holy Spirit, because at the core of our being we really are self-oriented. If we are serious in our quest to live the Gospel and to be Christ-oriented, our minds will experience a type of battle. What Christ may speak to our hearts to bring growth can conflict with our own natural inclinations and seem like foolishness.
The Apostle Paul urges the Corinthians to press through what seems foolish to find a deeper life with Christ. Even though they are satisfied in the shallow realms of the Gospel, the Corinthians must get beyond what they want, think, or feel to lay hold of the Christ-oriented life God has promised those who believe. Paul wants more for the Corinthians and the culture is seeking to deceive them. He writes his letter to remind them of the work of Grace and to give them Hope to rise in the glory of God.