| “Have you (Corinthians) been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, for we do all things, beloved, for your edification.” – 2 Corinthians 12:19 |
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| For your EDIFICATION 2 Corinthians 12:19 concludes with “for we do all things, beloved, for your edification.” What a great challenge to us as we consider our motives for ministry. As a matter of fact, this concluding statement was made by the Apostle Paul to explain his motives for writing to the Corinthians AGAIN. As Paul wrote AGAIN to the Corinthians, he had to answer the age-old question of WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TELLING US WHAT TO DO question. With that question hanging heavy, the Apostle Paul defends his apostleship in the letter we call 2 Corinthians. He, also, though does not back off calling for the Corinthians to live differently and to do what is right! His ultimate purpose in writing was not to DEFEND himself but for their EDIFICATION – for their UPBUILDING. His motive for ministry was building up the body! As we minister in various ways, we will encounter people who may need an exhortation to stop sinning. (1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, “Brethren, warn the unruly …; James 5:19-20 says, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.) So as “brethren” let us check ourselves to make sure our exhortation is for edification! When we take this approach Proverbs 25:12 is more possible!! Proverbs 25:12 says, “Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.” Our reason for rebuking (reproving) is to bring a person to repentance and then restoration! In other words, we are doing this for a person’s EDIFICATION. Verse to DATE the Word on December 19 (12/19) is 2 Corinthians 12:19. It says, “Have you (Corinthians) been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, for we do all things, beloved, for your edification.” How might you apply “for we do all things, beloved, for your edification” to your life today? Continue Strong ministering to one another with the pure motive of edifying one another! And remember to DATE THE WORD |