What Does Christ Say About You?

This chapter of 2 Corinthians provides huge help. It details the concept that our generosity, even giving money to other Christians, concerns the growth of the gospel personally and publicly. Paul switches from talking about giving to defending his apostolic ministry because of the gospel advancing personally and publicly.

Christians are motivated to give by something deeper than just donating money. Anybody can give money, even to non-Christian causes. But a godly motivation to advance the gospel personally and publicly brings glory to God. Paul's ministry included giving to those in need and growing people spiritually. Now he defends his apostolic authority in a way that gives profound help for dealing with struggles, trials, temptations, and sins.

In addition to a loving, cheerful attitude toward God's people, there's the personal concept of Christian obedience. The biblical prescription for strongholds is obedience, which advances the gospel personally and publicly. There's a connection between obedience, faith, and what Jesus says about you.

Many obsess over what others say about them. It's a bottomless pit since we can't know others' thoughts. The older you get, the more you see these struggles persist. Clicks aren't just a youth issue; adults form them too. The goal of this passage is to focus on what Jesus says about us. Live concerned about what Jesus thinks of you. What does Christ say about you, and why should it matter?

You might struggle with how others view you or how you view yourself—too positively or negatively, comparatively. The key is to see yourself as Jesus sees you. Develop a concern for what Jesus says about you to uncomplicate life's problems.

Christ Commends Those Who Are Obedient

As we develop concern for what Jesus says, three considerations emerge. First, Christ commends those who are obedient. Obedience comes in two ways: motivation to obey and how to obey.

Motivation is a consistent Christian struggle. Every biblical command has a sweet, God-centered reason to obey. No command is mere obligation. God's laws reveal our inability to obey apart from Christ—even Adam in a sinless state failed with one command: don't eat, but enjoy all else.

I, Paul, myself, entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away.

Paul appeals on the basis of Christ's meekness and gentleness—refreshing attributes that motivate obedience. Meekness is strength properly applied, fitting each scenario. Like a husband using strength to hold his wife securely, not harm her; or greater force to protect her from an intruder. Christ's meekness is his full strength as God-man drawing his bride close, conquering sin yet holding us lovingly.

Gentleness is a different reaction than expected—restraining harshness we deserve. Jesus, who scourged the temple, warned of hell, and rebuked leaders as vipers, is gentle toward us because his redemptive work succeeds. If Christ's meekness and gentleness don't stir you to obey, you may not have experienced or reflected on them enough.

Another motivation: Christ will commend us. We want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

How Christians Obey: Wage War

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Obedience involves war—intense, requiring full commitment. Christians war not against people, but with God's divine weapons against strongholds: arguments and lofty opinions (pride) raised against God's knowledge—his nature, holiness, and revealed will.

These are personal reasonings in your mind against God. Treat them with hostility: don't entertain them. Take every thought captive—arrest, interrogate against God's knowledge and Christ's work. If a thought aligns (e.g., giving to advance the gospel), release and act on it. If not (e.g., lust), destroy it—stop thinking it entirely.

As redeemed believers with the Holy Spirit, you can do this. Every thought meets hostility; good ones are freed, evil ones imprisoned or executed. Sin happens when you fail to take thoughts captive—you lose the mind's war first. You dove into sin because the thought reigned desirably, like Eve.

When disobedience occurs, God disciplines his own to complete obedience, as Paul did in 1 Corinthians.

But the one who boasts, let him boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.