September 21, 2016 GOOD INTENTIONS
2 Corinthians 8:10-11: “And I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. But now finish doing it also, but just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.”
When Paul wrote these words, there were believers in Corinth who in the past had expressed a desire to support other believers who were in need, and now Paul was urging them to follow through with what they said they wanted to do. In verse eight, Paul made it clear that he was not commanding them to give, but was encouraging them to complete what was in their heart to do in regards to supporting those in need, and by doing so, they would be proving the sincerity of their love. I don’t know about you, but I need to heed what Paul is saying in this passage of scripture because I sometimes fail to follow through with something the Holy Spirit prompts me to do. The Holy Spirit may prompt us, or give us a desire, to do something as simple as making a phone call and checking on a friend or someone in need, but unless we make the call, the desire is of no benefit to us or the other person. Paul said it was good to have the desire, but we must also complete the desire by the best of our ability. The Holy Spirit is doing His part; if we are listening, He is prompting us and giving us desires that are in keeping with what God is doing and as we express, or follow through with these desires or promptings, we are partnering with God in His work. Interestingly, Paul made it known that it is to our advantage to complete the desire that God has put in our heart. What I find inspiring about this passage is its simplicity and practicality; it’s not about theological ideals or debate, but is about the practical outworking of the gospel. God is at work in the day-to-day affairs of life on earth, and He is putting thoughts and desires in our mind and heart so that we can be a part of His blessing others through us. As believers, let us not only have a desire to do what God puts in our heart, but let us complete to the best of our ability the desire that He gives. He will not give us a desire that we cannot complete, but will enable us to complete anything He puts in our heart and mind. All thoughts and desires are not from God, so the key is that we are sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit that is within us and that we complete it to the best of our ability.
1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Blessings,
Buddy
September 21, 2016 GOOD INTENTIONS
2 Corinthians 8:10-11: “And I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. But now finish doing it also, but just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.”
When Paul wrote these words, there were believers in Corinth who in the past had expressed a desire to support other believers who were in need, and now Paul was urging them to follow through with what they said they wanted to do. In verse eight, Paul made it clear that he was not commanding them to give, but was encouraging them to complete what was in their heart to do in regards to supporting those in need, and by doing so, they would be proving the sincerity of their love. I don’t know about you, but I need to heed what Paul is saying in this passage of scripture because I sometimes fail to follow through with something the Holy Spirit prompts me to do. The Holy Spirit may prompt us, or give us a desire, to do something as simple as making a phone call and checking on a friend or someone in need, but unless we make the call, the desire is of no benefit to us or the other person. Paul said it was good to have the desire, but we must also complete the desire by the best of our ability. The Holy Spirit is doing His part; if we are listening, He is prompting us and giving us desires that are in keeping with what God is doing and as we express, or follow through with these desires or promptings, we are partnering with God in His work. Interestingly, Paul made it known that it is to our advantage to complete the desire that God has put in our heart. What I find inspiring about this passage is its simplicity and practicality; it’s not about theological ideals or debate, but is about the practical outworking of the gospel. God is at work in the day-to-day affairs of life on earth, and He is putting thoughts and desires in our mind and heart so that we can be a part of His blessing others through us. As believers, let us not only have a desire to do what God puts in our heart, but let us complete to the best of our ability the desire that He gives. He will not give us a desire that we cannot complete, but will enable us to complete anything He puts in our heart and mind. All thoughts and desires are not from God, so the key is that we are sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit that is within us and that we complete it to the best of our ability.
1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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