It is usually difficult to face our human weaknesses, but it is always a spiritually mature attitude in which to stand before Almighty God. When we face our weaknesses, it opens the door to operate in the strength and power of God. That is when we become aware and others around us recognize the Truth living in us. So, we must choose to humble ourselves, because life will bring challenges that test our faith and reveal our weaknesses. The key to pleasing God is to stand strong in the Truth during the times when we are utterly dependent upon what Christ alone can do.
When we are navigating our lives according to the compass of the Truth, we are pleasing to the Father. We cannot use our desires or circumstances to determine the direction for the journey. Indeed, many times our desires are opposed to God and our circumstances are challenging, because the Truth living in us is either being revealed or opposed.
In our passage today, the Apostle Paul is getting ready for his third visit to the Corinthians. He wants to celebrate their growth in the Truth, but he is not sure that will be the case. Some of these believers are living in such a way they are opposing the Truth rather than revealing it. So, Paul warns them ahead of his visit that if they continue to oppose the Truth with their actions, he will have to confront, discipline, or even ask them to leave the assembly.
This may seem harsh to us at first, but the Body/Church must all be going in the same direction—into Christlikeness and Oneness or wholeness. Otherwise, there will be a spiritual tug-o-war limiting the growth of the whole. Leaders, like the Apostle Paul, who know spiritual maturity is what pleases God, will spiritually guide the people toward a committed and growing relationship with God. Leaders who care about pleasing the people—telling them what they want to hear—will accept spiritual immaturity and convey this is all the Lord requires. In my heart, this is opposing God’s power made available in Christ.
Friends, if Jesus is coming back for a radiant or “glorious Church”—pure, holy, without blemish, reflecting the perfection of Christ—let’s remember this is a spiritual state of being free from the power of sin and marked by righteousness (Eph 5:27). We must demonstrate and reveal the love of God and his character as we remain committed to the teachings of Christ who has freed us from the power of sin and death. The destination of the world depends on the revelation of the Christ in his Body/Church. So, we reach for righteousness and run along the illuminated path of Truth.
2 Corinthians 13:5-10 NLT
5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine [committed]. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you [ongoing experience in you]; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 6 As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.
7 We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. 8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. 9 We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.
10 I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this reminder about what pleases you and how we are to examine our lives each day. We confess our weaknesses and give them to you in exchange for your strength and power in the Spirit to remain faithful. We reach for maturity knowing we become more like you as we obey your commands of love. Help us to take the necessary steps today toward righteousness. We commit our lives to growing in the Truth, because we desire to please you as our Creator above all created things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.