DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
SPEC UK
HTML https://specuk2019.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Assignment 1
*****************************************************
#Post#: 18--------------------------------------------------
Assignment 1 MichaelH
By: Michael Date: February 13, 2019, 12:09 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
An amazing starting point for this topic is the opening gambit
of chapter 6; We then, as workers together with him, beseech you
also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Let us hope that with the below characteristics we can may not
only receive the grace of God but also spread it through the
Holy Spirit.
Endurance and bravery; you will face hardships and battles along
the journey. In your own spirituality as well as other people’s.
Just as 1 Cor 16:13 says; “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith,
quit you like men, be strong.” Here he is beseeching people to
stand fast. We too must stand fast in our faith. You require
endurance and bravery to not take the initial “no” as an answer,
to stay committed and focused on the goal ahead regardless of
the difficulties you may face. Paul in his letter to Corinth
showed this endurance. He directly approached the key issues
they were facing and guided them through their struggles. He
will have faced rejection from the population but he remained
committed and endured. He even mentions in 2Cor 6:5 “…in
beatings, imprisonments and rights; in hard work, sleepless
nights and hunger”. It’s easy to say Paul is using hyperbole to
prove a point, he isn’t! He received all these things and more,
our supposed “endurance” pales into insignificance. However, the
reality is, this doesn’t diminish the endurance we must show in
our mission. It simply shows us the power of the Holy Spirit to
bestow this endurance and bravery on us.
Purity; as when you are undertaking your mission, your purity
will allow you to truly live the Word. This purity is littered
through chapter 6 and 7 but most prevalent in 2Cor 7:3 “I do not
say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a
place in our hearts that we would live or die with you”. Paul is
showing us this purity and his love for the people of Corinth.
It also shows his devotion and love for them. Purity is the
characteristic of the Holy Spirit that allows all the other
characteristics to be amplified and actioned.
Understanding; without it, you risk not truly appreciating where
the individual is coming from and their position. You could
judge them if you don’t know the decisions they face or how they
truly think/feel. Equally as important is an understanding of
your own faith. With no understanding of your faith, theology
and the core beliefs of our church you risk being the house
built on sand rather than stone. Paul illustrates his point in
2Cor 7:14-18 where he integrates verses from the Old Testament
(Lev, Jer Isaiah & Ezek) into his letter. Here he is not only
showing the extent of his knowledge but he is able to integrate
it with flair. Paul is laying the foundation of the faith he is
preaching with scripture and biblical teaching. This is a skill
that will never lose its effect of time. One that is often
pushed to the side as it requires hard work and learning. Paul
is showing us the importance of understanding and strong
foundations, we should not ignore it!
Patience; is something that not many truly possess. It allows
someone to fail or struggle whilst still remaining optimistic. A
good example of this is being patient and understanding that
each individual has their own journey. You may be a part or the
whole of that journey. However, your patience, is what is key to
appreciating and relishing the long road ahead. Paul is patient
in 2Cor 7:12 where he is “encouraged” by the good progress
Corinth was making. The encouragement and positive message he
ends chapter 7 on shows his patience and understanding of “the
journey”.
Kindness to your fellow man. Being kind is not to be confused
with artificially asking how someone is or “caring for them”.
Being kind is an active endeavour, a constant striving to be
truly generous. Kindness is not restricted to words or
understanding. True kindness implores action from the
individual. Paul sends Titus to Corinth after his visit. He
writes two letters to them, he is constantly checking up on
them. This devotion is true kindness, backed with action and
meaningful help. A missionary who is truly kind will not rest
till the individual meets the most kind.
Truth and honesty; are two characteristics that are often
misconstrued. Initially truth is simply about not lying. In
time, truth becomes much more than this. It becomes a more
active calling. We as missionaries are called to spread the
Truth yes, but also identify faults and areas of concern. Paul
was extremely truthful. He writes in 2Cor 7:8 “Even if I caused
you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret
it – I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while
– yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but
because your sorrow led you to repentance.” Quite simply, we all
need a friend like Paul. Someone who is willing to tell you the
truth for your own good. Giving truthful feedback to your family
is vital to their development and something you wouldn’t
question. The same should be said of giving truthful feedback to
your wider family in the pursuit of God.
Reverence for God; comes with fear and an acceptance that your
work is His work. The respect you pay God directly translates to
the respect you pay others. The awe of him allows you to then
disseminate this awe to others. Reverence is something
increasingly difficult in an age where the inner workings of
something must always be explained and analysed. Again Paul sums
it up in 2Cor 7:1 – we do this “out of reverence for God”. Where
the world is drowning in information and data. True reverence
allows one to understand that God is truly almighty and to
respect faith of the unknown and intangible.
Empathy; is something that we all must have. If we are not able
to identify with our fellow man what hope do we have of
understanding the language they must be spoken to. Empathy
enhances our ability to present the message in a meaningful way
to others. You get the sense that Paul feels real joy when he
feels the people move forward in their spirituality and he feels
real sadness when they do not. Empathy and understanding are
almost mutually exclusive to judgement.
Finally, a proudness in God; is a difficult but necessary
characteristic. You cannot be proud of your own effect on
someone. However you can be proud of God’s effect on someone.
This nuanced assertion is key to true satisfaction. You should
be proud of how God has brought the individual closer to Him.
This divine pride is something that is ever more satisfying than
pride of oneself and is of course longer lasting. Divine pride
is like sweet fruit after the long war.
#Post#: 20--------------------------------------------------
Re: Assignment 1 MichaelH
By: minaminou Date: February 15, 2019, 4:31 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Amazing points Michael and thorough understanding of the 2
chapters. Many Thanks for your sharing.
As you said, the starting point of the chapter is the pinnacle.
Without God's grace upon us, we won't be able to attain any of
these characteristics.
*****************************************************