Perception is

2 Corinthians 13:6-10

One of the hardest lessons in sales is that perception is how it is to your customer.  That is not saying the client's knowledge of the product will be based on facts or even close to correct.   Awareness to this can make the difference between making a sale or not, and in the apostle Paul’s encounter with the churches at Corinth; he understands that many have believed the false apostle and did not believe he has any authority over them.

In verse five they and we have been told to “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves . . .” But in verses 6-7, we see Paul is letting them know that they may have a different perception of him as an apostle of Jesus Christ.  “I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.”

Paul is doing what any dad has done, and some more than others, that goes up those stairs into your child’s room and humble yourself with I’m so sorry I over reacted, will you forgive me?  My memory of those days is that all the way up those stairs Channel One the deceptive channel was telling me your daughter will lose all respect for you, this is weakness and not a good thing.  But Channel Two is what I refer to as the Channel of Truth, the Holy Spirit who is telling me,    you are weak I will show my self strong in your life.

As we read verses 8-9, give thought to what the apostle Paul is telling them and you and I.  “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak, and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.”  It matters not whether you’re in sales, a pastor, the apostle Paul, or a dad; you should desire the best for the end user.

As I read verse ten, my mind went back to my youth and my father saying Bob a word to the wise is sufficient.  When I come home, I expect to see that project complete, and you will not enjoy the results if I find it any other way.  Verse ten, “For this reason, I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

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