The Grands Letter (1Co/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on March 6, 2020 8:06 pm (CST)Dear Grands,
2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are
taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…”
The Church at Corinth was about as worldly as a church can get. They were not only at odds with the LORD,
they were at odds with the Apostle Paul. In fact, when any church is at odds with a godly pastor, they are at
odds with the LORD. They criticized Paul for being strong and bold in his letters them, but not so tough when
he came to them in person. Some of the outspoken “worldlies” in the Corinthian Church accused Paul of being
worldly himself, i.e., living a fleshly lifestyle.
Paul’s response was that he did live in a human body and was subject to human ways, but he did not battle
in human, physical ways. His battles were spiritual, not physical. His weapons were “divinely powerful” and
could destroy spiritual fortresses. In fact, Paul assesses he was “destroying speculations (reasonings) and
everything that was working against the knowledge and will of God. And what was Paul’s starting point?
It was in “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
Just pause for a moment and think about that –“taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
I see two “doors” in Paul’s thinking: one is that every thought not obedient to Christ was imprisoned; and
two, every thought that was obedient to Christ could be loosed and become operative for His glory! Give that
some careful thought. What is there in your thinking that ought to operate to the glory of God? And what is
there in your thinking that ought always to be captive and never acted upon? Humm…
Whether the LORD uses us, clearly depends upon our spiritual cleanliness and willing availability to Him.
Are we clean (I say “we” because I’m involved in this, too.)? Are we willing to be used of Him for His glory?
Every person who enlists with a team wants to play in the game! So, every person, who has signed on with
the LORD, wants to be used. Are you being used? If not, why not? And, if you are, what points have you scored
for His glory? Let’s pray for each other; and let’s hold ourselves –not someone else—accountable unto Him.
Heartily in Christ Jesus,
(Dado III)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America
“We never know that God is all we need
until He becomes all that we have.”