Let’s continue the discussion from the previous article, where Paul had hoped to visit the Corinthians, but things didn’t work out. It sounds like certain people in the Corinthian church thought that Paul was going back on his word, or that Paul was insincere when he said that he wanted to visit them. While these inferred Corinthians complaints aren’t necessarily documented in the Bible, we get to read Paul’s written response (which is more useful to us than the original gripes, anyway).
But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:18-20 NIV
[Editor’s note: while editing this article, the song, “Yes and Amen” (presumably based upon the passage above) came on my smart speaker. I don’t remember hearing it before, but I can testify that God works in many amazing ways!]
As much as both the Corinthians and Paul might be disappointed that Paul couldn’t visit when he had originally intended to, the truth of Jesus Christ is not something that will disappoint either of them:
- Yes, God is faithful.
- Yes, God’s promises are going to be fulfilled.
- Yes, Jesus died for their sins.
- Yes, God’s way is better than our sinful ways.
- Yes, this is worthy of saying “amen” to. (See Fancy Prayer Words – And Why You Don’t Need Them for more about what “amen” means)
As Mark Scott writes in the Lookout (cited below), “Jesus is the grand amen of God because, as Christian educator Tom Ewald said, ‘He is God’s dynamic affirmative to every negative dimension of life.’ ”.
Maybe people at Corinth had gotten this confused, and had mixed up unfailing truths – about Jesus Christ and the unyielding faithfulness of God – with the fact that Paul’s personal intention (i.e., to visit them) didn’t pan out. Maybe some people were grumbling that if Paul couldn’t keep his promises (even if he had only said that he wanted to visit, not promising that he would visit), how could they trust everything else that he said?
The difference, though, is that Paul getting to follow his personal desires was subject to things well beyond his control, whether due to circumstances or God’s instructions for Paul to go in a different direction.
On the other hand, Paul’s teachings about God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are based on unshakeable truths. Paul had learned these lessons – sometimes the hard way, through trials and suffering – but the truth of these lessons was not a function of Paul’s opinions, preferences, feelings, or goals.
In fact, it was the other way around: once Paul learned the truth about God, he began to align his goals with God’s. This still left room for Paul’s own personality, interests, and friendships, but these were shaped as a result of the truth about God, and were subject to God’s superior will and guidance.
So, just because Paul’s plans had to change, the Corinthians needed to understand the difference between this circumstance and the truth that Paul was teaching. (The good news is that the Corinthians didn’t have to just take Paul’s word for it. In addition to God’s revealed truth, there was – and is – plenty of evidence of God’s nature to be found around us, if we search for Him.)
Perhaps some in Corinth were still associating the truth of the Gospel too much with individual preachers. As we read in 1 Corinthians 1:10- 17, some were saying that they followed different people, even though those people delivered the same gospel message. Maybe they still hadn’t gotten the point that Paul, Apollos, Peter, and other evangelists were only messengers of the truth. These human beings were not the Savior of the world; they merely told other people about Him.
So, I hope that your understanding of the truth about Jesus is based on Him and His teachings (both directly from Him, and indirectly through His followers who were led to share His message faithfully). If you try to discern the reality of a perfect God only through the imperfect lives of His imperfect followers, or try to see Him only in unpleasant circumstances within this broken, fallen world, you’re going to lose the picture through the noise. Always go back to the source!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for May 5, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, May 5, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 2 Corinthians, by William R. Baker. © 1999 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 