“2 Corinthians 11:16-21”

Thursday, June 21, 2018

“Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little. What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also. For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face. To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Several years ago I witnessed a case of “domestic violence” in a bowling alley parking lot. A very large man was hitting a woman (not sure if it was his wife or girlfriend) repeatedly in the face as she was screaming and crying in pain. Out of nowhere, a “knight in shining armor” ran to the rescue and gave the abuser a karate kick in the chest, momentarily bewildering the attacker. But within seconds, the “hero” was back-peddling as fast as he could as both the abuser and his victim were chasing him down meaning to do him harm because he dared to do this good deed.

That incident happened 25 plus years ago, and yet I can still see it very vividly in my mind’s eye. I learned a painful lesson that day about abuse. No matter how agonizing or frequently it may take place, many victims of ill-treatment will defend and protect their abusers when someone tries to intervene and help. I know there is a psychological aspect to this, and I sympathize with anyone who is trapped between the confining bars of love and torment. My heart breaks for victims of abuse and all the physical and psychological torture that they go through.

But, when it comes to spiritual matters, there is just too much at stake to stay shackled to those who cause damage to our souls. The brethren in Corinth “tolerated” the false teachers who “enslaved” and “devoured” and “took advantage” of them for personal gain (verse 20). Paul only wanted to help them heal spiritually and go to heaven for eternity. And yet many of them rejected their “champion” (Paul), and their Savior (Jesus), in favor of tyrants and taskmasters.

Is your commitment to a loved one keeping you from obeying the truth and truly following the Lord? Maybe your affection for a beloved parent or grandparent is keeping you tied to the manmade denomination that they devoted their lives to. I know that they would never intentionally hurt you or lead you astray, but if they are or were caught up in false religion, your soul’s salvation is much more important than your feelings for them and the allegiance that you think you owe them. Nothing and no one is worth giving up heaven for!

Jesus said in Matthew 10:37-39: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.” Please don’t let your love or sense of obligation to any human being keep you from obeying Jesus from the heart, and serving and worshiping God in Spirit and Truth.

Please read 2 Corinthians 11:21-28 for tomorrow.

Blessings!

- Louie Taylor

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