There is not much to quote from in today’s reading. What I took away from Paul today is that he felt very much like a man with no home. He did everything for the glory of God and for the love of the people he served. We have so many comforts in modern times. It almost gives me guilt to think of how easy it is for me as a believer. I think the hardest part is remembering my salvation came from the sacrifices of men like Paul in the early church. I should never take it for granted that men died and were tortured so that I may experience God’s mercy and grace. I pray that my life is worthy of their sacrifices.
2012 Day 200 – 2 Corinthians 11
18 Wednesday Jul 2012
Posted in Daily Reading
Daily Devotion 
For this chapter, read the Message version. I’m not a huge advocate of that paraphrase, but I believe it captures the emotion of Paul beautifully. Here’s a man at the end of his rope, who has sacrificed and given, only to see his love turn to a more flashy, romantic, less informed voice. He’s angry. In his anger he begins to compare what he’s been through to what these “flashy preachers” that are preaching a false Jesus have been through. What I love most is at the end, he sums it all up by saying that his boasts are only about his humiliation. His humiliation that makes him resemble Christ even more.
How many times have we gotten to that point where you’re fed up and angry, and you pull out all the great things you’ve accomplished? Paul had performed miracles in Christ’s name, but that’s not what he brought up. Nor was it the amount of people that have been saved due to his teaching. He bragged only about the hardships and humiliations that made his story resemble Christ’s even more.
That’s something I need to learn.
Dang Brian! That is a great observation. It is easy to see Paul bragging about all his accomplishments until you see he is bragging about his suffering. This is a great lesson for me to learn. My reaction is to say, “but look at all the good things I do…”, but if I am to look at this in the proper light, I will recognize that my suffering is a direct reflection of my willingness to serve and be used by God.