With Elder Elico Manenji
✝️In this final chapter, Paul assured the Corinthians that he was coming to see them. Although he had failed to come before, this time he would come and inflict punishment on those who were siding with his enemies saying he was timid and weak. Some Corinthians had thought that Paul was good at threatening but had no power to execute. At his coming, he was going to look at all issues, by the testimony of two or three witnesses, he will not spare the guilty and offenders. Since they were doubting his Apostolic authority, he was not going to spare any found in the wrong to show proof that Christ indeed sent him, so they would witness that proof in the punishment which he would inflict for Christ's sake. He urges most of them to examine themselves whether they are still in.the faith and keep away from sin. He wished them to repent from sin and be perfect to the call of Christ.
*1️⃣2 Corinthians 13:1-6:Paul's proof of Apostolic calling as he urges the Corinthians to examine themselves to see whether they are still in the faith.*
⏹️ As evidence of his Apostolic calling, Paul
warns the Corinthians of a chastisement which he was determined to inflict upon all offenders against the gospel of Christ. The Apostle says, *"But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?"(Hebrews 12:8-9).*
⏫He was going to mete out discipline that was rigorous but righteous on the offenders that will result in excommunication from the fellowship of the good. The patriarch Job says, *"He opens also their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity"(Job 36:10).*
⏹️So the true needed not to fear but the false alone needed the required chastisement. So he encourages them to examine themselves to see whether thay are in the faith. The Apostle says, *"Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates?"(2 Corinthians 13:5).*
*2️⃣2 Corinthians 13:7-14:True Apostolic mission restores and build others faith as Christ saves and the Spirit gives true fellowship with God as He dwells within.*
⏹️Faith keeps believers away from sin. Faith keeps believers from being counterfeits, spurious, not genuine or tares but wheat. The Apostle John says, *"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith"(1John 5:4).*
⏭️Evil is inconsistent with the character and teaching of Christ which is truth unto salvation.You can do nothing against the truth but for the truth, for truth is restorative and promotes the growth of goodness in the inner man. The Psalmist says *, " Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth"(Psalm 119:142).*
⏹️The Apostle encourages them to achieve all the completeness, perfectness and communion in the work of the Holy Spirit that works in them. The Apostle says, *"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection"(Colossians 3:14).*
⏫The Apostle concludes with happy farewell, a rejoicing in the Lord's goodness which is a blessing from the God of grace and mercy. The Psalmist says, *"But I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation"(Psalm 13:5).*
*🅰️Appeal*
Christians are encouraged to be perfect, knit together in love, to be of good comfort under all the sufferings and persecutions, to be of one mind and one spirit in the Lord who gives them comfort and happiness. Though they may endure they might endure calamities and disappointments they might meet with in the world for the cause of Christ, they have to stand until the day of final recognition of the saints. The Apostle says, *" Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil...Why take to you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand"(Ephesians 6:11,13).* Amen!!!
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704)
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