What Does Jesus Say About You? Part 2

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

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!—I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. 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. Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed. I do not want you to think that I am frightening you with my letters. For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 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.

Christ Commends Those Who Are Obedient

As we discussed last week, the ultimate goal of this passage is to answer the question: What does Christ say about you? Many voices speak about us, and we may care deeply about what others say or think. But the key is to focus on what Jesus says, particularly in three areas.

The first is that Christ commends those who are obedient. Paul appeals to the meekness and gentleness of Christ—qualities Christians find profoundly sweet. Meekness is the proper application of strength in each situation. Gentleness is showing mercy and grace where harshness is deserved.

Men often want to be strong, but we must apply strength wisely, imitating Christ's gentleness by restraining ourselves when offended. Women, too, have unique strengths to apply and restrain similarly.

Yet Paul's appeal is not to our imitation but to Christ's own meekness and gentleness in saving us. Jesus applied His strength to save you and restrained God's wrath, giving you salvation instead. Those who have experienced this have ears tuned to Paul's command.

Having experienced Christ's meekness and gentleness, our hearts soften, and we stand ready to receive Paul's instruction: destroy strongholds and take every thought captive to obey Christ. This is a call to Christian warfare, not apathy.

War is bloody, violent, and intense, requiring strategy. Do you plan your week to strategize against sin? Sabotage your future self by making it harder to sin—delete music apps if that's your struggle. Christ has already conquered sin; we choose to revive the defeated enemy or put it to death.

Take every thought captive, not just sinful ones, but all thoughts—even good ones about parents or potential spouses. Compare them to Scripture. Nice thoughts might reveal idolatry. Thoughts producing happy feelings could elevate someone unduly.

Ask: Do these thoughts promote purity, holiness, Christlikeness? Do they draw me from Jesus? How often do you think about Jesus in a way that produces joy? Take every thought captive. Let Christlike thoughts reign; destroy those that don't.

The battle begins in the mind before actions. Every Christian who sins has thought about it first, justified it with arguments and lofty opinions, convincing themselves it's okay or undetectable.

We want Jesus' commendation, not man's praise. Obey by taking thoughts captive, and Christ will commend you.

Christ Grows the Faith of Those Who Are Obedient

As Christians win the mind battle, Christ grows their faith. Our weapons have divine power—God's own weapons—to destroy strongholds through the gospel. This power flows as we diligently take thoughts captive; no magic words or wands needed. If you're in Christ, you have it.

Act, trusting the power flows through you, and strongholds fall, increasing faith. Obedience precedes faith growth. Paul mentions increasing faith after obedience (v. 15). We often reverse it: "I need more faith to obey." But obedience increases faith.

The disciples' little faith amid the storm showed disobedience. Yet faith as small as a mustard seed moves mountains. Post-Pentecost Christians, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, equipped by Scripture, grow faith through obedience.

Like a child obeying a parent, seeing results builds trust. If your faith feels small, don't wait—increase obedience by taking thoughts captive. Even "big sins" fall this way; you don't need professionals or steps beyond this.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Your "huge" sin looks massive through sin-tinted lenses, like a tsunami. Through God's lenses, see His faithfulness, might, and weapons—His sword, shield, armor. God gates temptations to your endurance level, providing escape.

Every temptation is escapable, tailored to you, with permission from God who restrains it. Don't pray for removal or ability—it's already given. Endure, and faith grows. Sinful responses come from not taking thoughts captive amid internal debate.

For known sins, your alive spirit debates; take those thoughts captive.

Christ Commends Those Who Commend Him

This progression—Christ's meekness motivating obedience, leading to grown faith—naturally results in commending Christ.

“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. (2 Corinthians 10:17-18)

Boast in the Lord, not self. All good in you is from God—your personality, circumstances, salvation, weapons. Those experiencing Christ's meekness commend Him.

It's not self-commendation but Christ's: "I died to save you." A phrase from R.C. Sproul stuck with me from age 14: "We don't accept Christ; Christ accepts us." Counter to "accept Jesus," it pricks pride. Scriptures show our unacceptability; Christ makes us acceptable by the Father's choice.

Boast in the Lord—about, because of, only in Him. Commend Christ: study Him, praise His greatness, worthiness of devotion.

Christ reciprocates, commending as recommendation, evidence—like a resume or letter. Paul got youth jobs via recommendations; we're hired by Christ's testimony.

Christ's work accepts us; we become His letters of recommendation. Are you proof of Christ? If so, He recommends you to the Father. Commend Christ, and He commends you.