A few months ago I wrote 2 Corinthians 11:28 – 29 on one of the pages in my prayer folder. That passage turned up again in my devotional time (M’Cheyne Reading Plan).
I am struck by Paul’s intense concern for all churches. By the way the last phrase of 29, translated in the NAS, “without my intense concern”; in the ESV and NRSV, “and I am not indignant”; and in the NIV, “and I do not inwardly burn”; in the Greek is literally, “and I not burn”.
That phrasing from Paul reveals a heart that reaches beyond the immediate to embrace all that the Lord is doing in His Body. It occurs to me that if it is the case that we are to be imitators of Paul, 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1, then we should have the same burning concern for the entire Body of Christ.
When we hear of a church or organization that is struggling or drifting away from the truth, we should burn. If it is the case that we are to seek first His kingdom, then part of that kingdom focus is for us to burn with concern for our brothers and sisters who are not only in other communities of faith in our town, state, or country, but also for those who are following Christ in other countries.
One practical way to do so is to get a copy of Operation World and use that for prayer fodder in your time with the Lord.
I am struck by Paul’s intense concern for all churches. By the way the last phrase of 29, translated in the NAS, “without my intense concern”; in the ESV and NRSV, “and I am not indignant”; and in the NIV, “and I do not inwardly burn”; in the Greek is literally, “and I not burn”.
That phrasing from Paul reveals a heart that reaches beyond the immediate to embrace all that the Lord is doing in His Body. It occurs to me that if it is the case that we are to be imitators of Paul, 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1, then we should have the same burning concern for the entire Body of Christ.
When we hear of a church or organization that is struggling or drifting away from the truth, we should burn. If it is the case that we are to seek first His kingdom, then part of that kingdom focus is for us to burn with concern for our brothers and sisters who are not only in other communities of faith in our town, state, or country, but also for those who are following Christ in other countries.
One practical way to do so is to get a copy of Operation World and use that for prayer fodder in your time with the Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment