2 Corinthians 10 reminds me of my time living in Nashville. I managed a restaurant where many country music stars lived. I did not know much about the industry, so frequently people unknown to me would ask special treatment. One fella pushed his way to the front of the line and asked me, “Do you know who I am?” I responded, “No, but I know WHAT you are”. He quietly left. Today’s lesson is about looking beyond appearances. Paul begins by addressing his detractors. He desires to write with “the humility and gentleness of Christ”. Paul had to defend himself from false charges. His critics ridiculed him for being a keyboard warrior, “‘timid’ when face to face with you, but ‘bold’ toward you when away!” Paul did not look the part. A cowboy hat and shiny belt buckle does not make you a singer. He was a man of substance over style. Paul addressed some in the church “who think that we live by the standards of this world”. His definition of success did not appear charismatic. Paul taught, “Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does”. He did not advocate violent resistance, he intellectually demolished every argument that stood “against the knowledge of God”. Paul encourages personal responsibility from Christians. If our home life is a mess, what does that say about what we preach? He urges us all to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”. Thoughts lead to actions. Paul knows our chaotic behavior can wreck the perfect melody of God’s mercy.
Next Paul resets the stage. He warns against projecting motives onto fellow human beings. “You are judging by appearances”. God offers inexhaustible grace, even to those with whom we disagree. Paul says to those attacking his character, “we belong to Christ just as much as they do”. Grasping that truth will fiddle with your anger. Paul voices his priority, “the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down”. God’s grace has the power to lift everyone out of darkness. Note, that goes for both his false accusers, and his supporters. Whenever we take the spotlight off Christ, our desires change from harmony to solo. They slandered Paul in order to mute his message, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive… his speaking amounts to nothing”. Paul’s preaching literally changed the world despite the lies of his opponents. He says “What we are in our letters… will be in our actions when we are present”. The best way to defeat false criticism is to keep your promises.
Humility comes when we compare ourselves with God’s perfection. That means we must constantly remember Jesus is our authority. Paul says that the corrupt “compare themselves with themselves”; adding, “they are not wise”. Paul’s humility allows him to lavish praise on others. He says he will restrict his “boasting to the sphere of service God Himself” assigned to him. He tells the Corinthian church, “that also includes you”. Paul’s missionary trips included the people of Corinth; “we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ”. And he adds a new level of responsibility to followers of Christ. Paul warns that their reputation will directly impact how others will perceive the message he preaches. “As your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand”. Their behavior was to be a positive representation of their new life in Christ, so that “We can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you”. In closing, Paul urges us all to remember the source of all success, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord”. God does not look at our fame, He looks at our faith. Only one thing matters. What will you say when Jesus asks if you know who He is?