“How much do you care?” That is a heavy question. You probably want to know, “About what?”
Therefore, let me be a bit clearer, “How much do you care about sharing the Gospel and caring for the body of Jesus Christ?”
The Gospel and the Church. How much do you care about that?
As I meditated on a chapter in 2 Corinthians recently, I kept asking myself the same question. How much do I care? Am I willing to say “No” to myself, my desires, and some opportunities because I care enough about the church?
Again, as we ask ourselves this question, I admit, this is heavy.
A Call to Sacrifice
Who wants to sacrifice? Which one of us likes to give up things? Who likes to get in the back of the line? How many of us enjoy suffering? How often does our zeal for the Lord produce a willingness to sacrifice?
To be clear, I do not think any of us like to sacrifice, give up things, get in the back of the line, or suffer. Many of us are willing to do those things; however, that does not mean we naturally gravitate toward the kind of humility that desires these things.
I think of an individual I know (for sake of embarrassment I will not say who), and it humbles me. This person suffers for the care of family, friend, and church. This person chooses to remain in a tough situation because of the greater implications for the gospel. As I consider this person’s personal sacrifice, I reflect on the kind of love of Christ and people that produces the willingness to endure.
Consider Paul’s Personal Reflection on Sacrifice
In this chapter, Paul reflects on those things which bear down on his heart as he considers his care for the Gospel and the church. False teachers threaten the church. In so doing, they have criticized Paul fairly heavily. Therefore, Paul is talking about himself here. Although he boasts, he is doing so in humility so that the church will understand his story against the criticism of these false teachers. As you read his story, consider this question, “How much do I care about the Gospel and the church of Jesus Christ?” Here is his reflection (2 Cor 11, NET):
1 I wish that you would be patient with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you are being patient with me! 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his treachery, your minds may be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus different from the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the one you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough! 5 For I consider myself not at all inferior to those “super-apostles.” 6 And even if I am unskilled in speaking, yet I am certainly not so in knowledge. Indeed, we have made this plain to you in everything in every way. 7 Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you could be exalted, because I proclaimed the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so that I could serve you! 9 When I was with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia fully supplied my needs. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! 12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may eliminate any opportunity for those who want a chance to be regarded as our equals in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions.
16 I say again, let no one think that I am a fool. But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying with this boastful confidence I do not say the way the Lord would. Instead it is, as it were, foolishness. 18 Since many are boasting according to human standards, I too will boast. 19 For since you are so wise, you put up with fools gladly. 20 For you put up with it if someone makes slaves of you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone behaves arrogantly toward you, if someone strikes you in the face. 21 (To my disgrace I must say that we were too weak for that!) But whatever anyone else dares to boast about (I am speaking foolishly), I also dare to boast about the same thing. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking like I am out of my mind!) I am even more so: with much greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with more severe beatings, facing death many times. 24 Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with a rod. Once I received a stoning. Three times I suffered shipwreck. A night and a day I spent adrift in the open sea. 26 I have been on journeys many times, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own countrymen, in dangers from Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers from false brothers, 27 in hard work and toil, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, many times without food, in cold and without enough clothing. 28 Apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows I am not lying. 32 In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to arrest me, 33 but I was let down in a rope-basket through a window in the city wall, and escaped his hands. (2 Corinthians 11)
A Challenging Question
No doubt if you take any time at all to reflect on Paul’s testimony, as I am, you will be challenged to consider your own love for Christ, the Gospel, and the Church of Jesus Christ. Not that I want you or me to be like Paul because that is not the goal. However, we read Paul’s testimony and ask ourselves, “Do I love Christ and people as much?”
Paul’s life provides the example from which we can challenge our own hearts and minds. Like my friend I mentioned above, you possibly already live with personal sacrifice daily from care for the Gospel and the Church. If you do, may God grant you incredible strength today as you bear the burden of love for Christ and the Body of Christ.
If it turns out that you have room to grow, I pray that you will grow in your burden for the Gospel and people so that you become willing when necessary to sacrifice for Christ.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
