We are not our Own

2 Corinthians 10:13-18

“But we will not boast beyond limits but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”

Concentric circles always have “you” in the center, and as the rings go out then family, close friends, neighbors, co-workers, and business associates, and then we have our community and the world.  People your life will touch are the influence God has assigned to each of us.  As you look at your concentric circle, your children do see how Christ is using your influence to change them into one who is mighty in the kingdom of God.  How about your family, your close friends, neighbors, co-workers, and business associates?  Paul can look at the church at Corinth and see that God’s calling on his life is making a difference.  Never compare your life to someone else’s for each of us have been given gifts and assignments and it is much like a gift at Christmas; enjoy the gift your given, and do not compare your gift to what someone else has received.

It’s so important to come to grips and understand you have a place in the line of God’s army, and if you are not in your position it is a gap, you are the only person assigned to that role.  If as a parent you are expecting the church to train your child in righteousness, you have left a gap in the line, for God has assigned that role to you, not some person at church or school.  If a dad does not fulfill his role as the spiritual head of the family, no one else can fill the gap, and what pain that has brought into the family, the community, and the world.  Paul can look and see the conversion and how lives have changed in Corinth it is proof of Paul’s obedience to God’s calling.

It seems clear that Paul understood his calling, to go and make disciples, to start churches and to encourage them to grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I’m fearful that many of us have no understanding that we are not our own, we were bought with a price, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”  The question must be asked as we look into the mirror, do I believe that?  And Paul led by the Spirit tells us in 1 Corinthians 7:23, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”  When one puts all their time into seeking what the world can offer it is easy to become the slaves of men.

Free your mind from the control of the world's desires they at best are fleeing, and turn your mind to God’s Word; His promises, and believe that only He can meet your needs and give you peace. This is what you will discover in 1 Peter 1:3-8. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice