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31 July 2008
2 Corinthians 11:16-21a
I tell you again: No one should think I am a fool. But if you think so, accept me as you would accept a fool. Then I can brag a little, too. When I brag because I feel sure of myself, I am not talking as the Lord would talk but as a fool. Many people are bragging about their lives in the world. So I will brag too. You are wise, so you will gladly be patient with fools! You are even patient with those who order you around, or use you, or trick you, or think they are better than you, or hit you in the face. It is shameful to me to say this, but we were too "weak" to do those things to you!
But if anyone else is brave enough to brag, then I also will be brave and brag. (I am talking as a fool.)
The false teachers in the church in Corinth had built a cult of personality in order to win over the Christians there. As a result they were able to manipulate, coerce and bully the people in order to get them to do what they wanted. Paul's behaviour was the exact opposite, and he is clearly disappointed that the people cannot see that they are being tricked by these false teachers.
History is littered with tyrannical leaders, such as Hitler, Stalin and Saddam Hussein. Each of them carefully constructed a cult of personality in order to win the masses over, and once that was achieved, they set about on a course of human destruction.
Yet people do not only follow despots. Today, we also have the relatively recent phenomenon of the cult of celebrity. How many times have people idolised politicians, film stars, and sports personalities, only to end up disappointed due to their idol having let them down in some way?
Let's be honest, who do we really worship? Who has first place in our hearts? The Bible is very clear that if anyone or anything is placed before God in our lives (and that includes parents, wives, husbands, children, friends, work, hobbies, possessions etc.) then we have fallen into idolatry. Only God should have that prime position as he is the beginning and end of all things.
Let us take time out today, to think about who or what really has first place in our lives.
Lord, help me today to put you first in all things, may no other person or thing claim the place that is rightly yours. Amen
Written by Paul Tomlinson
2 Corinthians 11:16-21a
I tell you again: No one should think I am a fool. But if you think so, accept me as you would accept a fool. Then I can brag a little, too. When I brag because I feel sure of myself, I am not talking as the Lord would talk but as a fool. Many people are bragging about their lives in the world. So I will brag too. You are wise, so you will gladly be patient with fools! You are even patient with those who order you around, or use you, or trick you, or think they are better than you, or hit you in the face. It is shameful to me to say this, but we were too "weak" to do those things to you!
But if anyone else is brave enough to brag, then I also will be brave and brag. (I am talking as a fool.)
The false teachers in the church in Corinth had built a cult of personality in order to win over the Christians there. As a result they were able to manipulate, coerce and bully the people in order to get them to do what they wanted. Paul's behaviour was the exact opposite, and he is clearly disappointed that the people cannot see that they are being tricked by these false teachers.
History is littered with tyrannical leaders, such as Hitler, Stalin and Saddam Hussein. Each of them carefully constructed a cult of personality in order to win the masses over, and once that was achieved, they set about on a course of human destruction.
Yet people do not only follow despots. Today, we also have the relatively recent phenomenon of the cult of celebrity. How many times have people idolised politicians, film stars, and sports personalities, only to end up disappointed due to their idol having let them down in some way?
Let's be honest, who do we really worship? Who has first place in our hearts? The Bible is very clear that if anyone or anything is placed before God in our lives (and that includes parents, wives, husbands, children, friends, work, hobbies, possessions etc.) then we have fallen into idolatry. Only God should have that prime position as he is the beginning and end of all things.
Let us take time out today, to think about who or what really has first place in our lives.
Lord, help me today to put you first in all things, may no other person or thing claim the place that is rightly yours. Amen
Written by Paul Tomlinson
