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I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons to warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

 

Paul starts out this thought as a warning to those at the church at Corinth to watch out for those who preach to them a false gospel. He warns them not to stray from the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He tells them to be followers of him. Not to be confused to have no regard for the gospel of Christ but to be followers of Christ just as he was when he was there. Do not remove yourself from faith. This is why he tells of why "words" have no meaning from these false prophets and teachers. Only the Word of God has power.

Paul send Timothy to get them back to square one with their faith. He has put his trust in him to accomplish this mission. Timothy has a rather tough task. Many today fall away and not until years later in their lives do they return with their whole heart to follow Christ. Paul also instructs Timothy to give remembrance of what Paul had taught them while he was among them. The Old English version uses the term "puffed up" rather than "pride" as an example of how far the people removed themselves from the gospel. They considered themselves self-justified in their faith that they did not need the gospel in their message. The sin of pride makes a person thinks they are equal to God. Never the case.

We see this in our times as well. Many have fallen away from the faith because of those who preach something different other than the gospel of the Lord. Some so-called preachers never mention Jesus the Christ in their message. It would be what I call a "feel good" church message. God sent his son to take the burden of our sins and then the power of God, by his word, raised him from the dead. That is the true power. The tomb is empty!

Lord, keep us in the faith and keep the gospel of Christ in front of us. Amen!

Russ Nixon

rwnixon57@yahoo.com