Paul is writing to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 1:17-24 and earlier in the letter he explains that he is changing his plans. Paul has decided to visit the church twice at Corinth, which is a different plan than he told them before. Paul is changing and he calls it “giving them a double blessing” for getting to see him twice. Paul’s confidence is well warranted and his attitude toward teaching them is further emphasized by His reason for teaching them. Paul is teaching the church to stand strong and be people who are “yes” people. Not yes people like we know them who say yes as a matter of blindly following another’s lead, but “yes” people who will do anything to further the preaching of the gospel. This is much different than many modern day churches because most of those churches would be “no” people. Otherwise known as people who don’t have much faith in God doing a great work. So they say no to almost everything. Verses 17-20 says 17 You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
Jesus Christ does not waver when it comes to His yes and no responses and we should not waver either. Since the yes he is talking about is important to him he doubles down by explaining that his yes is not like the world’s yes, that may or may not be a true yes. But a yes like Jesus. An unwavering yes!! As we can see, people have been wavering on commitment since the beginning of time and the wavering of everything is ended with the life of Jesus. Paul calls Jesus the “ultimate yes.”
Let me ask you something. When you agree to do something, is that a conditional yes or an unwavering yes? When you agree to do something….do it! I have had well-intentioned people “lie” to me throughout my ministry and make commitments that they never followed through on. The result of those weak “yeses” has been devastating to me and my family, so I know the power of a true “yes.” In making a commitment to Jesus we need to weigh heavily the impact of saying yes and not following through on a commitment. The effects are far-reaching and they cause a disruption in the body of Christ when we fall away from a commitment we made.
Keep your commitments and set a standard for all who know you to follow through on what you said yes to. Also, be willing to say “no” if you don’t believe God wants you to commit to something that you cannot follow through on. The church at Corinth had messed up and Paul was needing to give them a serious rebuke, but he didn’t return at that time to keep from having to give them that rebuke. Paul wanted to set an example of working together and not lording over them and he wanted to protect that type of environment through his actions. They apparently doubted Paul’s sincerity in his commitment to them and Paul wanted to explain and further pound in their minds that all he was doing was for their good and the good of the movement. Paul believed better of them than what they were showing and he needed to drive home the point that his yes is a yes, and his no is a no! Enough said.
The Pilgrimage continues….
David Warren
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