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2 Corinthians Chapter 11
Commentary by Ron Beckham
Verse 1. "I wish that you would bear with me in a little
foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me."
If Paul was a good ole’ country boy, he would be saying something like,
"C’mon, fellers, let’s set a spell n’ talk this over; gimme’
jus’ a moment fer a little foolishness, here…" There’s sometimes
a tongue-in-cheek quality to Paul, for he was touching them with a little dry humor.
And indeed, he HAD their attention and they WOULD listen to him for sure.
This verse would lead them to what he was about to say.
Verse 2. "For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed
you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin."
Paul had become a man who saw life (and people) from God’s point of view.
The "jealousy" here, is God’s desire that the Corinthians (and the rest of
us, also) would be kept from sin. Paul was not after these people for himself, but
his heart was instead to bring them to God.
The "Husband" of the Church is Jesus Christ, and we are betrothed to Him for
all eternity. Paul and those like him, have just one goal – that you might be
presented to Christ, pure and innocent, lovely in heart. To those of us who are
sinners, it sounds impossible, but ALL is possible in the Cross of Christ. Sin is in
your past, but "pure" is truly descriptive, in God’s eyes, of those who are
in His Son.
Verse 3. "But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his
craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to
Christ."
As humans, we so easily stumble into sin. In the Genesis account of the Fall
(Genesis Chapter 3), you could decide Eve was kind of dumb, because, from the written
account, she seems to have fallen so quickly. But consider her from the aspect of innocence.
What if you had never known sin, and then you were confronted with it? What
would YOU do? Eve fell, and did Adam, and I’m sure God chose EXCELLENT
representatives of the human race. If they fell, you and I would have, too.
We do have a clever enemy. But "cleverness" is not intelligence, nor is
it love. Our God (Who is in us) simply understands – everything! He has
all knowledge. And God not only knows us, but He also loves us without limit.
Our minds are no longer to be led astray. When we choose to abide in Christ, He will
keep us safe from sin.
Verse 4. "For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not
preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different
gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully."
In reality, there isn’t "another Jesus", but the enemy has been busy
down through the centuries, making counterfeits so that people remain confused. And
these counterfeits bring demonic spirits with them that further add to the confusion in
life. The strange thing is that so many will receive false religion, and embrace the
demons that come with them.
It’s not only strange but it also is tragic, for misplaced faith is even worse
than no faith at all. People who receive other "scriptures" are in great
danger, because the Bible brings us to the Lord. You can often meet those who revere
Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) and view Jesus as a "great teacher." And
they feel "enlightened" with this (they bear false teachings
"beautifully" as Paul says in this verse). The problem is that Jesus
Christ is more than a teacher – He’s the Savior of the world.
Verse 5. "For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most
eminent apostles."
Paul knew who he was, for the Lord had told him. In Acts 9:15, Ananias was told
about Paul by the risen Christ, "he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before
Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel." The same information was imparted
directly to Paul. He was Christ’s "apostle" (sent one).
One person of God is not inferior to another. We tend to regard a pastor within a
big Church as "blessed" (they are), and the one leading a tiny Church as somehow
"inferior" to the other guy (not true). In football (soccer), the center
forward tends to receive notoriety by scoring many goals, but his team does not win unless
the other players are effective on the field. All of the people of God are
special in His sight.
Verse 6. "But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in
knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things."
Some of the Corinthians had referred to Paul (gossiped about him, actually) as
"unskilled in speech" and in this verse he was simply quoting their statement.
He did not argue the point with them, but instead pointed out that literally that
he knew far more than they did. This was not bragging, because the statement was
true. God had equipped him and sent him, on their behalf.
As stated by Paul elsewhere, "the Gospel which was preached by me, is not
according to man; for I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came
through the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11-12). It is not merely
our theological training, but the revelation of Christ, in His Word, and through His
Spirit, which is needed by the world.
Verse 7. "Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be
exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?"
"The man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the
earth" (Numbers 12:3). Jesus was "gentle (meek) and lowly in heart"
(Matthew 11:29). Matthew 11:29, continues "and you will find rest for your
souls." Paul became humble before God (and the Corinthians), as stated in this verse.
If you want to understand humility, study the life of Moses: note that he had
become rough (through his first 40-years in the desert); he was a person in authority, and
yet he was a humble man. Jesus humbled himself and gave us rest. The true
people of God will provide REST for others, including that "living water" we all
so desperately need.
Tongue-in-cheek but serious in intent, Paul asks the outrageous question, did he
"commit a sin" in humbling himself? Paul had led them to Christ, and he
exalted them beyond measure, when he brought them to Christ. Everything he gave them
was freely given. My Dad always said, "There’s no such thing as a free
lunch," and that is so often true. But it does not take into account the FREE
gift of Jesus Christ to a dying and starving world.
Verse 8. "I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve
you;"
Often a missionary has no independent source of income. The Bibles they give, the
money for the places in which they live, the food they eat and share, is typically from
the funds sent by those in another land. Paul functioned as an independent
contractor (a tent maker) but also provided for them through gifts from other Churches.
He used the phrase "robbed other Churches" as a tongue-in-cheek expression of
his annoyance with them. The Macedonians and others had given to their hurt, in
backing the missionary activities of Paul, and he would not have them insulted by the
reaction of these Corinthians to Paul’s ministry.
Verse 9. "and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a
burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need,
and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do
so."
I’ve met many in ministry who are wholly supported by donations. And
that’s fine. The Pastor has often given up his income in order to serve his
congregation. The Lord hears the needy (Psalm 69:13) and it’s on the ground of
poverty that those in ministry are to receive sustenance from those they serve. Some
ministers provide for themselves, and that’s fine, also, for our needs, our
abilities, and our situations are not all the same.
Paul refrained from receiving income or expenses from the Corinthians, but he did, on
the other hand, accept sustenance from the Macedonians. I’m sure he was led by
God in both decisions. Our needs are different, as were those of the Corinthians and
the Macedonians, and the one who gives, receives from the Lord. God’s purposes
will be unique for each one, and we must not look to people as we decide to receive or
not, and to give, in certain situations, or not. We must look to the Lord.
Verse 10. "As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not
be stopped in the regions of Achaia."
The problem with boasting is that so often the stuff we boast about is just not true.
It may contain something of the truth, but if it is not all true, then it is a lie.
Testimonies sometimes grow in the telling, and that is not good. Jesus is
"the truth" (John 14:6), and if we are in Him, we
are to be like Him. Paul was telling the truth about the situation in relation to
these Corinthians, and he would tell it to all Achaia (or the whole world), if necessary.
Verse 11. "Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!"
Paul is asking them, "Why am I doing all this boasting? Do you think
it’s because I don’t love you?" Did he lead them to Christ because he
did not love them? Did he give his life in the teaching of them, because he did not
care? Why was he spending all this time raising money for their needs, and
writing them letters, if they did not matter to him?
He’s been stating this in a deliberately sarcastic manner, so they might see how
ridiculous their position was. Paul loved them with the everlasting love of Christ,
and yet they preferred false teachers (verses 13-15) over him. It’s interesting
to note that people often pick the wrong leaders and trust the wrong persons. We
should be less drawn to physical appearances and more to the Word of God. When we
learn to see life through the Word of God, as revealed by the Spirit of God, we will make
much better choices.
Verse 12. "But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off
opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the
matter about which they are boasting."
Paul is spotlighting the false religious teachers who had crept in among the
Corinthians. Now, if Paul was "boasting" about the work of God he had
brought to these people, the false teachers had boasted much more (but for no reason at
all). Paul wanted to show the false ones up for what they were (as revealed in
verses 13-15). They were actually workers of Satan, and Paul would reveal their true
nature. He would cut them off from harming these people.
Note that Paul loved those who did not care for him. The Corinthians were
rejecting him for insufficient cause, but his leading in the Spirit had not changed –
He loved them with God’s love, and it was his job to protect them.
Verse 13. "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising
themselves as apostles of Christ."
There are false workers among us. They work hard, and may be very religious, but
they’re false in every way. It is not how hard we work, but it’s our trust
in Christ that divides us, false and true, before a Holy God. Such people knock on
doors, publish books, quote the Bible, and talk boldly. But they are false,
disguising themselves as workers of Christ. They have been very busy down through
the centuries, and you see them historically in places like the Spanish Inquisition; often
killing gentle souls who loved our Lord.
Satan is both active and clever, not only entrapping people within lives of outrageous
and embarrassing sin; but his greatest ploy is counterfeit religion. A store owner
won’t take a $20.00 bill with a picture of Mickey Mouse on it, but all too often we
of the Church take the false, right along with the true. There are many good and
wonderful leaders sent by God out there, but others are not from Him – We need to
pray – a lot.
Verse 14. "No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of
light."
Lots of what is called "religion" is not of the Lord. "But they
are so nice" we might say about a body of people who have faith in
something-or-other. I was in a "Hindu" (Sri Ramakrishna) monastery at one
time (during the years I was away from the Lord), and the "monks" in that place
were very pleasant. They were nice guys.
But were they God’s men? It’s very likely none of them were, because
the prevalent belief of that place was "all roads lead to God." I had
fallen away from Christ, and possibly some of those "monks" have now been
touched by the Lord – I hope so. The official belief system of the place was
essentially that it didn’t matter what you believe, as long as you believe in
something. However, Jesus said "I am the way, the truth
and the life; no man comes to the Father except by Me" (John 14:6). It
DOES matter what you believe and who you believe in. Satan masquerades himself and
causes confusion, for no other reason than to lead people away from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 15. "Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise
themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds."
Just like Satan pretends to be "good," his people do the same. I have
met many ministers and priests, down through the years, who give eloquent religious talks,
but who seem have no personal relationship with the Lord. They are the ones who are
in it for some other reason than a heart that longs to serve Jesus Christ. It’s
dangerous to be like that.
The problem with false Christians is that they are going to experience a terrible
judgment for their deception, both in this life and the life to come. You can only
fool a true Christian for a while, and then they will repent, turn to the Lord, and escape
the clutches of the enemy. The phonies don’t have it so good, for they must
repudiate their false teachings before they can turn to God. It’s hard for
people to admit they’re wrong, and we must PRAY for those who walk in darkness but
pretend to be in the light.
Verse 16. "Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive
me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little."
Now, of course, Paul was in no way "foolish" but they (the Corinthians) were
acting toward him as though they thought he was, and he was throwing the concept back into
their faces. It’s important to RECEIVE those God has sent to You. In the
last few verses, we have seen there are some who only PRETEND they are from the Lord, and
we must guard against them. On the other hand, you should RECEIVE those who really
are from Him.
How do we know the difference? For one thing, all Paul’s talk about
"boasting" in these verses was designed to reveal the love that God longed to
express through him, to the Corinthians. Paul’s heart was to give them the love
of God, but they were rejecting God’s gift. Can you imagine Paul being given to
YOU, so that you might learn from him? They had that gift, but were inclined to
throw him away, in favor of someone else who was better looking and more adept at public
speaking. Don’t rest in externals – look to the heart.
Verse 17. "What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in
foolishness, in this confidence of boasting."
Paul is very careful here to point out, as Matthew Henry observed, that boasting is not
approved of by the Lord ("I am not saying as the Lord would). Had Paul not
added this, there would be doctrines today which emphasize boasting as a sign of
"spirituality."
Paul was angry with these people (the Corinthians), by the way. Actually, he was
angry FOR them. It should be noted that Moses, who was very humble (Numbers 12:3),
also had a temper, as seen in Numbers 16:15, where it says he "became very
angry." Mercifully, the man of God can be very human, and still be loved by
God.
Verse 18. "Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also."
The false teachers (false "apostles", verse 13), were quick to take the glory
for themselves. And incredibly, the people of the Church at Corinth, were LISTENING
to them. Paul was infuriated that these "deceitful workers" (verse 13),
had crept in and were pretending to represent God.
But God gave Paul a mouth, and an eloquent one, at that, and he would use it against
such men. Since they were bragging about their credentials, Paul would soon present
his own.
Verse 19. "For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly."
It is amazing how the foolish often think they are wise. Both Psalm 14 and 53,
start with the phrase, "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God."
And yet, the "atheist" thinks he is wise. Bertrand Russell, a philosopher
of this century, is an example of a very bright man, who publicly and consistently
rejected God.
Yet his rejection of God was a denial of reality – God is real and therefore, the
"brilliant" Bertrand Russell died a fool. He won’t deny the Lord
anymore, because there is a Judgment, and there is a God who Judges those who deny Him.
The Corinthians tolerated foolish people, even extolled them. In their own way,
they were just as foolish as those who say "there is no God."
Verse 20. "For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you,
anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face."
Paul is saying their decision to accept false teachers and reject the true, is just as
ridiculous as selling yourself into slavery. It’s just as dumb as giving
yourself to a cannibal. It’s crazy like asking someone to take advantage of
you, or saying, "Please hit me in the face." Don’t abase yourself
like that. Trust in God and RECEIVE the one He has legitimately sent to you.
Verse 21. "To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison.
But in whatever respect anyone else is bold, I speak in foolishness; I am just as
bold myself."
A careful study of the life of Paul, indicates he was a highly educated man. For
instance, he was trained by Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), one of the greatest rabbinical teachers
of all time. But Paul took literally, Jesus’ words, "Do
not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you ought to say."
And it’s true that we can trust Christ for our words. Every time I sit
down at this keyboard to write a study or a sermon, I have nothing to say. Through
our Lord, I (and you) have EVERYTHING to say. We are weak, but He is strong.
Paul states in this verse that he did not come to them in his own strength and agrees
that he seemed "weak" to them. He acted without boldness in his approach
to them, deliberately withholding his natural oratorical ability in order to assert Christ
(and not himself). He entertained the thought that to be "weak" before
them (in comparison with the false teachers who were "strong" in manner), might
have been a kind of foolishness - in reality, he could be just as bold and forceful as any
speaker who ever lived.
Verse 22. "Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites?
So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I."
And now, Paul begins to cite his credentials in relation to them. He asks
rhetorical questions about the false apostles (verse 13): Are they Hebrews?
Israelites? Descendents of Abraham? And his implied answer is yes, to each
question, indicating that the "false workers" (verse 13) Paul was encountering,
were the "Judaizers" who had plagued him for years.
There were lots of counterfeits in relation to the early Church, just as there are at
our point in time. The "Judaizers" falsely taught that in order to be a
good Christian, you must also become a Jew, and keep the whole Law.
These men walked around with flowing robes and entrapped many into a life of bondage.
God had picked His man with great care, though. Paul was not only filled with
God’s Spirit, but he also had earthly credentials that were better than those of the
Judaizers.
Verse 23. "Are they servants of Christ? I speak as if insane, I more
so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in
danger of death."
What if you had to take a physical beating for Christ? What if it was not just
one, but MANY such beatings? What if you went to jail for your faith – many
times? What if you were nearly killed for your faith – often? Paul uses
the word "insane" and his life indeed would drive most of us over the edge.
Those who think that the ones led into ministry have an easy time of it, just have not
read the life of Paul. His "credentials" are bizarre, from our
perspective, and yet God led him through every one of those beatings and imprisonments.
You cannot effectively deny that Paul was in the will of God, and yet he suffered
terribly, all the rest of his days.
But also look at this: He had the power of Christ in his life (2 Corinthains
12:9). He knew Christ intimately (Philippians 3:8, 10). He was free from the
condemnation and guilt of sin (Romans 8:1-2). He understood love, like most of us
never even begin to comprehend (1 Corinthians 13). He’s with the Lord right now
(Philippians 1:23). Trust in God, follow Him, and don’t be afraid - He will
bring you through.
Verse 24. "Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes."
It is well known that the lashes used had bits of metal and bone tied to the ends of
them. Paul’s skin would have been literally torn from his back. It would
have hurt him for months, and then it would happen again, and the still-healing scars
would be torn open once more. Why did this happen to him? – Because he loved
and served the Lord.
And yet, Paul did not decide to suffer. He suffered, as stated, in the will of
God. Oswald Chambers said, "To CHOOSE to suffer means there is something wrong
with you. To choose God’s will, even if it means suffering, is a very different
thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God’s will, whether
it means suffering or not." Paul understood that perfectly, and he suffered in
the will of God.
Verse 25. "Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three
times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep."
The metal and/or stout wooden rods used at that time for beatings, would break the
bones of the one(s) beaten by them. It would be like being hit by a police baton.
I have a friend who was hit by such batons. His arm was broken and his arms
and legs are now paralyzed. As to shipwreck, by the way, I saw the movie
"Titanic" and when I did, I developed an instant belief that I do not wish to be
shipwrecked. Paul was beaten with rods an incredible three times; the same number of
times he was shipwrecked. This is a man who suffered for his Lord and for his
testimony about Him.
Simon Peter walked with Christ for three years and then walked in His will for the rest
of his life. He had much to say about suffering, and the following is right on
point: "…Let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their
souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19). Paul
LIVED what Peter taught in that verse. Paul never sought suffering, but when it came
to him, he continued doing good, and praised the God who made him. We should do the
same.
Verse 26. "I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers
from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city,
dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;"
I’ve read a number of accounts describing river crossings on the American
frontier. Without the technological advances of our time, such crossings are very
dangerous. Many lives were lost. We all have reason to be concerned about
"muggings" in modern day America. We were on foot in California, the other
night, in a location where concerns about robbery were quite real. Recently in
Maryland, we were, for a time, in a similar setting. Paul was in such places all the
time. His own countrymen were out to kill him. Those who WEREN’T his
countrymen tended to want to kill him, also.
Once, when I was in my 20’s, I was stalked by a bear (he was really after the food
in my ice chest, at the campsite where I was staying). It was terrifying – he
(she?) was loud, and big! Paul lived in a time when wild animal encounters were
actually common and such events would not have been pleasant.
It’s interesting, by the way, that Paul places encounters with "false
brethren" right up there with being chased by wild animals. Come to think of
it, there actually is a great similarity between the two kinds of occurrences.
Verse 27. "I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights,
in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure."
Paul worked hard. He had a full-time job as a tentmaker and he also had another
full-time position as an evangelist and teacher. He traveled a lot, by the way
– often not at his choice. I find that if I don’t get 7-hours of sleep a
night, I don’t do well the next day. I don’t do very well when I’m
hungry, either, and the doctors recommend we drink lots of water. Paul went without
sleep, food, and drink, lots of times.
For three years, I lived in a tiny trailer, in the desert, in Phoenix, Arizona.
The first year I had no heat, and it gets cold during winter nights in the desert.
No matter how many blankets or layers of clothing I slept in, I was cold! Paul was
exposed and was cold, constantly. Remember here, by the way, that Paul was citing
these lacks as his CREDENTIALS to be an apostle, for the benefit of the Corinthians.
Essentially, he was giving them (and us) his resume. (Imagine putting "cold,
hunger, sleeplessness", etc., on your resume).
Verse 28. "Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on
me of concern for all the churches."
As a pastor, I meet a lot of other pastors. The interesting thing is that many of
them (and their wives) are walking cases of "burn-out", just waiting to happen.
Many just can’t take it anymore and I have met those who have left the
ministry. One of my Board Members and I have discussed possibly offering some kind
of assistance and help to pastors because of the "daily pressure…of concern for
all the Churches" Paul mentions here. Most pastors simply love their people.
The typical contact of a parishioner to a pastor is some kind of crisis. "My
daughter is in the hospital; can you come right away?" Or, "My father is
dying, what should I do?" The pastor and his wife are just people and they
typically love the people God has placed into their lives, but people can only do so much.
All the other things that happened, Paul referred to as "external things"
(including his own suffering), but the pressure of the ministry was much more.
Verse 29. "Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin
without my intense concern?"
Paul identified with the people he served. He said, "to the weak I became
weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I might by all
means save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22). It no longer mattered who and what he
was, because his commission was to bring many to Christ, and he knew the Lord would watch
out for him.
He really cared for all the "flock" of God. The Corinthians were
falling into sin. They tended to follow the wrong leaders and be led astray by them.
Paul deeply loved them and he cared greatly about what would happen to them.
He loved the people of God and made their distress his personal concern.
Verse 30. "If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my
weakness."
When we write a resume, we emphasize our strengths. Former U.S. President Jimmy
Carter publicly stated (in response to a question), that he sometimes had thoughts about
women other than his wife. He was being honest (as Christians should be), but his
admission was one of the factors that led to his failure to win re-election. He
talked about his weakness, and it cost him his job.
Paul did not emphasize his strengths (though he did have a lot of them). He
instead was much more willing to talk of his deficiencies. A key reason was the
power of God. Paul previously said, "we have this Treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).
Paul wanted them to turn to God; not to any man - not even to himself.
Verse 31. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows
that I am not lying."
What do people think of you? I have often been surprised to read of a
"quiet, well-mannered boy next door," who was later revealed as a serial killer.
Our perceptions of people are limited and we are often in error in our judgments.
Paul regarded much more than his own ideas or the opinions of other people.
He looked to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Corinthians thought
Paul was a liar, but God knew he was true.
Your reputation with men will not last. You and I are merely human and others can
find fault with any one of us. We can be thought to be liars by people, when we are,
in fact, true. Let us each be washed clean in the blood of Christ and let HIM be the
Judge of our hearts and lives. Other people can’t effectively judge us. We
can’t even judge ourselves. Be true, and be satisfied that HE knows our hearts.
REST in Him.
Verse 32. In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of
the Damascenes in order to seize me,"
These words reflect events related in Acts 9:19-25. The newly converted Saul
(Paul) had been proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues of Damascus. His hearers were
amazed, because they recalled he was the one who had previously been persecuting
Christians (before his conversion). He constantly defeated others in argument.
They got fed up with him, and were lurking at the gates of the city, waiting to
kill him. In the Acts account, we saw the Jews who were after him, and here in 2
Corinthians, we find that this "ethnarch" was in on the plot, as well.
Verse 33. "and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and
so escaped his hands."
God has a way of escape for you. In Acts 9:25, we find that the disciples of the
Lord, lowered Paul down in a large basket, through an opening in the wall of Damascus.
They (his enemies) had all the exits covered. There was no escape. But
a way was provided for him.
If you are in a prison cell, or are trapped within the walls of cancer, God has a way
for you. It may be you will be released or healed. It may be you will be put
to death or will die from the disease. But Jesus died for you, and whether this body
lives or dies, you are ALIVE in Him, and are free. Because of Him, you can never
die, and you don’t need to be afraid.
On a recent Sunday, we attended a small Church in central Los Angeles, called Abiding
Love. We sang a beautiful song, "Jesus Done Fixed it, and It’s All
Right." And because of Him, it certainly is.
Ron Beckham
Senior Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org
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