In this life, there are things that are certain but not good (like “death and taxes” to the cynical), and there are things that are good but not certain (like a hoped-for job offer after an interview). Things that are neither good nor certain create worry (which we should avoid, but that’s one of my weaknesses, to be sure). What we can rely upon, though, are the things that are both certain and good.
In the letter from Paul that we call 2 Corinthians, he describes something that meets both of these criteria.
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV
Here’s how certain the Corinthians’ salvation is: God Himself is the One who has adopted believers into His family, and He has given them the Holy Spirit as a confirmation. Of course, the Holy Spirit is much more than this, but His presence in the lives of God’s adopted children (an adoption offer that He extends to everyone who will accept it, by the way) serves as a sort of “down payment” of God’s commitment to us. The Holy Spirit’s presence in our hearts is translated as a “deposit” [NIV] or a “pledge” or “first installment” [NASB]. For followers of Jesus, we’re not yet experiencing the new heaven having come down to a new earth, in new bodies, but we have God’s confirmation that He is going forward with that plan.
In the lives of the Corinthian Christians, their salvation isn’t something that depends upon Paul visiting. In fact, it doesn’t depend upon Paul at all. This security is based on God’s faithfulness applied to all believers, including Paul, Timothy, and the Christians in Corinth.
Maybe this is what Paul was thinking when he wrote about “co-workers” or “fellow laborers” in various letters. Even if another Christian introduced us to Jesus, baptized us, taught us, or helped us grow in our faith, they are not the ones that we worship. They are merely fellow partakers of the same God’s grace that we now enjoy. And, we are called to do our part in the body of Christ (i.e., the church), just as they do their part.
Think about that as we read the next couple of verses.
I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
2 Corinthians 1:23-24 NIV
Here, we learn that there was a reason for Paul to not stop off in Corinth, despite what he had originally hoped. If he had shown up, it would have harmed those in the church.
- Was this because Paul would have had to discipline them if he had shown up?
- Was this because those in Corinth were still angry at Paul for correcting them?
- Was this because they would have been heartbroken for him to leave?
- Was it because Paul was in a bad place, and that would have brought sorrow to his friends?
- Was it because Paul showing up would have caused the factions in the church to create more division, because “their” leader was there (and maybe Apollos and Peter weren’t visiting at the same time)?
- Was it something else?
I’m not sure (although there is more potential context in 2 Corinthians 2:1-11), but God knew, and Paul seems to have understood. In fact, I’m not entirely sure if this was the reason that Paul chose not to visit, or if God (whether through direct instructions or guided circumstances) prevented Paul from going, and Paul was now realizing the wisdom of God’s direction.
However, not only was Paul’s missed visit to Corinth not him being fickle or lying to them, but it was actually better for them in the end. And, that’s how all of God’s plans are: good and certain, even when they don’t match what we want or what we expected to happen. God works in our lives, but not always in the way that we “design” for Him to do so. You can stake your life on His promises, but trust Him to fulfill them in His own way. It’s better than your way or my way, anyway!
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.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 2 Corinthians, by William R. Baker. © 1999 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 