Yes or No?
I took a detour from 1 John today to read in 2 Corinthians. These verses were water to me, but perhaps I drowned in them. I'm not sure I've spent enough time in this passage to understand it yet. So, for lack of time, I'll post the verses here. Please offer your thoughts as I'm learning to discern. Help me to understand.
Do you think Paul was guilty? Whose heart was in the right place? How important is commitment in relation to following God's will?
"Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or that which I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yes, yes and no, no at the same time? But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us — by me and Silvanus and Timothy — was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm. But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful? And this is the very thing I wrote you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you."
-2 Corinthians 1:17-2:4 (NASB)
Lord, I pray that you will abide in me, creating an understanding of Your faithfulness: Your character. Help me to honor and model You in my decisions. Thank You for never leaving me nor forsaking me. Thank you for drawing near to me as I draw near to You, and thank You for counseling me; You have shown me the path of life, and it's You.
Do you think Paul was guilty? Whose heart was in the right place? How important is commitment in relation to following God's will?
"Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or that which I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yes, yes and no, no at the same time? But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us — by me and Silvanus and Timothy — was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm. But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful? And this is the very thing I wrote you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you."
-2 Corinthians 1:17-2:4 (NASB)
Lord, I pray that you will abide in me, creating an understanding of Your faithfulness: Your character. Help me to honor and model You in my decisions. Thank You for never leaving me nor forsaking me. Thank you for drawing near to me as I draw near to You, and thank You for counseling me; You have shown me the path of life, and it's You.
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