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2 Corinthians 10:7-11
In his change of attitude in this second letter of the Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth, Paul instructs the Corinthians that they should not simply look at the outward appearance of a person as it is the change of one’s heart through the spiritual transformation of God’s Holy Spirit indwelling the believer that is the true change in one’s life. Paul then defends his authority in Christ as some have called him out for being authoritative in his speech but yet in person is not such a big powerful person, as if to say that his physical appearance is not worthy to back up what he is teaching. But, Paul says it is not his physical appearance that gives him his authority to preach the gospel, but his calling in Christ.
This is a promise and example that the power of the gospel message is from Christ Jesus; not from the one teaching it.
We still look at the physical appearance today as we make assumptions about ourselves and others. But the Apostle Paul teaches us that, in Christ, our power comes from Him, not us, as we strive to be the people that God has called us to be. King David sang a song containing these words in 2 Samuel 22:2-4 (NKJV),
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress
and my deliverer;
The God of my strength, in whom I will
trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence.
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy
to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
The Prophet Jeremiah cries out to the LORD in Jeremiah 16:19a-b,
“O LORD, my strength and my fortress,
My refuge in the day of affliction,”
And in Romans 5:6 the Bible teaches us, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” And God said to the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” The Apostle Paul was not a big overpowering man in his physical appearance (2 Corinthians 10:10), but it is in this weakness that God shows His strength working through Paul…and us.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to learn through this lesson that our strength is not of ourselves but as King David and the Prophet Jeremiah proclaim that our strength is from You LORD. Please help us to understand that it is in times of weakness that You most often show us Your strength working in our lives as it is only after we learn that our strength is not sufficient that we can see Your strength working in our lives. Please let it be so LORD. In Jesus name I pray, amen.