I will very gladly spend and be
spent for your souls. 2 Corinthians 12:15
I am struck by this verse. In context the Apostle Paul is talking about his concern for the people of Corinth. And he is willing to go to any length to see the people of Corinth come to knowledge of Christ and into relationship with Christ. That's what he's saying in today's quote.
I'm struck because I believe what is written in the word of God is for me to take in as well and live out. So am I willing to say to whomever comes across my path, "I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls"? And how God asks me to spend and be spent will look different, in some ways, than how it did for the Apostle Paul or how it does for Billy Graham or how it does for you or for me. But am I willing? I immediately say "yes, of course" but when the rubber meets the road is that really what happens? Will I, do I, really allow myself to be spent on behalf of someone coming to knowledge and relationship with Christ? I am willing in theory and I want to be willing in action. Willing to be spent means I have to set aside myself. It means that I don't concern myself with myself because I am trusting God to take care of me so I can be spent for the souls of others. The Apostle Paul was a great example of this, he fully trusted God to take care of him so he could be spent on others. Once I fully trust God to take care of me and I allow myself to let go of my selfishness then I think I will not only believe today's quote in theory but I will be able to live it out as well.
I am struck by this verse. In context the Apostle Paul is talking about his concern for the people of Corinth. And he is willing to go to any length to see the people of Corinth come to knowledge of Christ and into relationship with Christ. That's what he's saying in today's quote.
I'm struck because I believe what is written in the word of God is for me to take in as well and live out. So am I willing to say to whomever comes across my path, "I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls"? And how God asks me to spend and be spent will look different, in some ways, than how it did for the Apostle Paul or how it does for Billy Graham or how it does for you or for me. But am I willing? I immediately say "yes, of course" but when the rubber meets the road is that really what happens? Will I, do I, really allow myself to be spent on behalf of someone coming to knowledge and relationship with Christ? I am willing in theory and I want to be willing in action. Willing to be spent means I have to set aside myself. It means that I don't concern myself with myself because I am trusting God to take care of me so I can be spent for the souls of others. The Apostle Paul was a great example of this, he fully trusted God to take care of him so he could be spent on others. Once I fully trust God to take care of me and I allow myself to let go of my selfishness then I think I will not only believe today's quote in theory but I will be able to live it out as well.
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