Footsteps #207

Think further about those seven words at the beginning of 2Cor.11:26. “I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not” NLT They reveal a rootlessness that was a part of Paul’s life. That is not at all unlike Christ’s words in Matthew 8:20. What are the foundations upon which we are building our life? It certainly is nice to live in the same community and even in the same house for many years. But we should never rely on that for our roots! Colossians 2:6-7 remind us that our roots are also in Christ!  

Notice vs28 -29. “²⁸ Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?” NLT Paul speaks here of the daily pressure of his concern for all the churches. The word “pressure” in v28 speaks of careful and even anxious(NRSV) care about something or someone. It is the same word that is used in IPeter.5: 7 – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Paul wasn’t ignoring the counsel of this verse. His was not anxious care. It was a realistic and appropriate concern, as demonstrated by what he is writing to the church of Corinth. It was a care that he had and lived out for all the churches (those in Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica, Phillippi, Colosse, and Galatia). It extended to the individuals within the church and their struggles in following Christ. What a profound, albeit brief glimpse into the heart of a spiritual shepherd.  

Too many people want the fruit of Paul’s ministry without paying the price that Paul paid. He died. He died to everything. He died daily. He was crucified with Christ. This strong-willed, opinionated man knew that he must die to self. He knew that in his flesh, he couldn’t generate the revelation of Jesus; he couldn’t sustain the heart of Christ. So he died. He abandoned his life. He abandoned himself. He lived for Christ alone. Lashings, imprisonments, cold, hunger, thirst, as well as perils by land and sea. Perils in the wilderness and in the city, dangers from his own countrymen, from the heathen, and from false brethren – all this he endured for the sake of the gospel. He was defamed, reviled, perplexed, persecuted, troubled on every side, in jeopardy every hour, often delivered to death for Jesus’ sake.