Lesson 504

(Lesson 504)(01-02-13) 2 Corinthians 11:20-33, "For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands."

In this lesson, Paul, very vividly, describes the sufferings he endured while spreading the gospel of Christ. He is undoubtedly comparable to no man in his love of God and zeal to teach God's saving grace through Jesus Christ to all who required it of him.

We today have the workings of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ and the divine written word of God upon which to base our faith. These things were given to us through God's grace and the efforts of those devout Christian Apostles and teachers, such as Paul.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have teachers today with that much zeal toward spreading the promise of everlasting life? And, wouldn't it be amazing if everyone of us, like Paul, were to be so devoted that we could correctly guide ANY lost soul to the eternal salvation offered through the sacrifice of Christ?

It is past time for those of us who profess to bear the cross of Christ to first LEARN then get off our soft pews and TEACH.~