DOUBTERS

          Welcome back! Ready to share more of Paul’s letter? Great! Remember when we left off, Paul was answering some questions that the Corinthians had asked him in a letter of their own.

          Just as in every society, there are those who will question the authority of the leaders and it seems that it’s been brought to Paul’s attention that some people were in doubt of some of his methods or teachings.

          Unfortunately, we only get to know Paul’s character through his writings, but as captivating as they are, you can only imagine what Paul’s personality was like when he was sharing the Word in person. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is only the second of fourteen letters that are included in the Bible with Paul’s own testimony and you’ve already experienced many different emotions of his. You’ve seen that his tactics are effective and most importantly, you can’t escape the TRUTH in what he says.

          Paul certainly didn’t care how he brought lost sheep to the Lord, as long as he brought them. If your own child was kidnapped and returned, you wouldn’t ask of he who brought the child home what the rescue plan was, you’d just be grateful that your precious child was home safe and out of harms way. It appears that the Lord didn’t question Paul’s manner because He continued providing His Holy Spirit to Paul which was visible not only in his words but in the miracles that were performed through Him by God..

          But, as I said before, there are doubters in every crowd, and there were bound to be those who would raise their eyebrows at Paul’s ways. You read in the Gospels how the Pharisees persistently and relentlessly questioned Jesus’ motives, so you must know that Paul expected the same treatment. In fact, if you’re a Christian, spreading the Word of God, you know first hand that people will examine whatever you say and question the authenticity of your every word. Your credibility is tested not only in your words, but by your actions as well. This is to be done as we are to check the fruits for a tree is known by it's fruits ... Matthew 12:33 and prove all things 1Thessalonians 5:21

          Now that we can relate to Paul’s position a little better, let’s see how he deals with this situation. Frankly, some thought he was a fraud. Let’s look for ways that this message can help us in our own personal Christian walk, for and with Christ.

Am I not an Apostle? Am I not free?

Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?

Aren’t you my work in the Lord?

If I am not an Apostle to others,

there’s no doubt I am to you:

because the proof of my Apostleship is you in the Lord.

My answer to those who criticize me is this:

Have we no right to eat and to drink?

Have we no right to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other Apostles,

and be considered the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas (Peter)?

Or what about Barnabas and I,

have we no right to keep from working?

Who goes to war at any time at his own expense?

Who plants a vineyard, and doesn’t eat the fruit of it?

Or who feeds a flock, and doesn’t drink of the milk of the flock?

          Very interesting. If you’ve ever read the book of Leviticus, you know that the Levites were the tribe of the children of Israel who served the tabernacle or the temple. They were supported by the other tribes. They didn’t have regular jobs like the others, raising crops or cattle or being tradesmen. They took on the burden of the sins of the Israelites, caring for the things of the tabernacle or the temple and offered sacrifice, offerings and prayer for the people, and in turn, the other tribes provided for their living.

          In the world today, much the same custom is practiced, as people give tithes or offerings or donations to the congregation that they belong to, and their gifts support the servants who bring them the Word of God. It pays for the building where they worship (compare it to the tabernacle or temple) and the utilities and supplies that are required to maintain it for the people, as well as their food, clothing, shelter and other needs. This allows the servants of God to devote their time to ministry instead of a job.

          Paul emphasizes that even though he was deserving of the support that a servant of God is entitled, he always provided for himself to avoid any kind of misunderstandings, accusations or questions of his worthiness or credibility, or anything that would take attention away from his mission of delivering the Word.

Do I say these things as a man?

Or doesn’t the law say the same also?

For it is written in the law of Moses,

Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.

Deuteronomy 25:4

Doesn’t God take care of the oxen?

Or does he say this only for our sakes?

For our sakes, no doubt, this is written:

that he that plows should plow in hope;

and that he that threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.

If we have sown unto you spiritual things,

is it a big deal if we would reap your carnal things?

If others have this privilege with you, don’t we, even more?

Nevertheless we have not used this privilege;

but we put up with all things, so we don’t hinder the Gospel of Christ.

Do you know that they who minister about holy things,

live of the things of the temple

(are provided for by the church)

And they who wait (serve) at the altar

are partakers (take part or share) with the altar?

Even so the Lord has ordained that they who preach the Gospel

should live of the Gospel.

But I have taken advantage of none of these things:

neither have I written these things,

that it should be done for me:

for I’d rather die, than that any man

should make my rejoicing void (for nothing).

For though I preach the Gospel,

I have nothing to glory of:

for I have been chosen;

yes, I’m in for sorrow, if I don’t preach the Gospel!

For if I do this thing willingly,

I have a reward:

but if I do this against my will,

a dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me.

What is my reward then? Truly that, when I preach the Gospel,

I may make the Gospel of Christ without cost,

that I don’t abuse my power in the Gospel.

For though I be free from all men,

I’ve still made myself servant to all,

that I might gain more souls for Christ.

To the Jews I became as a Jew,

that I might gain the Jews;

to those that are under the law,

I became as under the law,

that I might gain them that are under the law;

To them that are without law,

I became as without law,

(being not without law to God,

but under the law to Christ,)

that I might gain them that are without law.

To the weak became I as weak,

that I might gain the weak:

I am made all things to all men,

that I might by all means save some.

          Maybe you’ve seen murder mysteries on television or at the movies before where the detective tries to think like the murderer so he can catch him. Paul is using this same theory. The detective doesn’t become a murderer in order to catch the criminal, but he tries to think like the killer in order to anticipate his next move. Likewise, Paul has to think like the sheep that he’s rescuing, so that he’ll know the best way to save them. That doesn’t mean he becomes one of them, but he becomes as they.

And I do this for the Gospel's sake,

so I might have a share of it with you.

Don’t you know that everyone who enters a race runs,

but only one receives the prize? So run, that you may win.

And every man that strives for the mastery (professionalism)

has self control in all things.

Now, they do it to obtain a perishable crown;

but we do it to obtain an incorruptible crown.

Therefore, I don’t run without a goal,

Nor do I fight as one that beats at the air,

but I keep control of my body, and bring it into subjection,

or else when I have preached to others,

I myself might be rejected.

          So, some people may have thought that Paul was a fraud, but he had his reasons for acting as he did. He didn’t run without a goal, but he had purpose and did what he had to do when he preached to others, or else he may have been rejected. It is God's Children that were kidnapped by the worldly ... It is the task of the Shepherd to return these children to their Father. Will the Father ask HOW the shepherd returned His child when the child is safe at home? Paul became as the chameleon lizard to reach the lost. They are now HOME.

          I hope you’re enjoying this letter from Paul as much as I am. Can’t wait for you to hurry back and study through another chapter, right here at Daily Bread.