July 11, 2018
by Pastor Chuck SwindollScriptures: 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
As the truth of God's Word penetrates our hearts, it displaces those secular mental barriers we have erected over the years. In fact, we receive several very exciting benefits. Paul names two of them.
As the truth of
God's Word penetrates our hearts, it displaces those secular mental barriers we
have erected over the years. In fact, we receive several very exciting
benefits. Paul names two of them in 2
Corinthians 10—divine power (10:4) and authentic independence (10:11–12).
We get the
distinct impression that nothing on this earth can intimidate us. The New
International Version helps clarify this supernatural ability of the "renewed
mind":
For though we live in the world, we do
not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons
of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3–5 NIV)
Did you catch the
reality of divine power? Servants with renewed minds have a perspective on life
and a power to live life that is altogether unique—divinely empowered.
That explains how
wrongs can be forgiven, and how offenses can be forgotten, and how objectives
can be pursued day in and day out without our quitting. It's divine power. God promises that He will
pour His power into us (Philippians 4:13)
and supply all we need if we will simply operate under His full
control. When we think correctly, we instantly begin to respond correctly.
How can we
"demolish" those things that once blew us away? With Christ living out His very
life through ours, that's how. By His power we can give ourselves away again
and again and again. And we won't fear the outcome. We won't even feel slighted
when we don't get the same treatment in return. Servants, remember, don't "keep
score."
When God is in
control of the servant's mind, we realize as never before that life's greatest
joy is to give Christ's love away.