HARD LABOR

READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:8-14

Verse 12: “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.”

In the verse above, the Apostle Paul reveals an aspect of his ministry that he valued highly. It was important to him that he had conducted himself in a worthy manner as described by verse 12. In this verse the use of fleshly wisdom would mean being governed by human nature. Human nature relegates a person to decisions and actions based on what feels right or seems right at a moment, based on the human experience of that moment. That was not good enough for Paul. He was determined that his conduct would be governed by the grace of God. That attitude is well defined by the following quote: “Receiving the provision of the Lord, as He sustains and aids the efforts of people who labor for the cause of Christ.” Once more and again Paul is an example for every Christian. The correct choice is for us all to conduct ourselves by the grace of God. We will always find that His grace is sufficient. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Are you doing well at conducting yourself by the grace of God?

2. What do people get who do not “labor for the cause of Christ”?