Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(2Co 2:2) “For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?”  When the flesh rebukes, it normally is done so with some animosity in one’s own heart. When it done in obedience to the Spirit of God, it is for the good of the other person. It is done with love in one’s heart for the other person.

(2Co 2:1) “But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.”  The more you love others before self, the more careful you will be in what you say and how you say it. Honesty – yes at all times. But there is a time and place for sharing, teaching, and rebuking. We must look to the Holy Spirit for guidance as to the when and how.

(2Co 1:24) “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”   “For by faith we stand…”  I find that by reading the whole of Scripture, this is the definition of faith: “Faith is believing what God says is true.” Heed: faith is not believing what I want to be true; it is believing what the Bible “says”; that….is true. The shame of it is, most have never read the whole Word of God so know only what someone else has told them.

(2Co 1:24) “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” The attitude here is the opposite of the world’s view of authority. The world sees authority as being over another person. Biblical authority is service to others. One is merely a vessel that is used of God. Even to rebuke under His direction is for their good rather than the authority’s.

(2Co 1:23) “Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.”  Paul felt led to put off the rebuke and discipline he might have to administer. There he put off his visit. This is a good example of when it might be best God not give us our desire.

(2Co 1:22) “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”  “Sealed”: (1Pe_1:5)  “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”. “Earnest”: it refers to a non-refundable down payment; (Tit_1:2) “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”

(2Co 1:21) “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;”  Oh the goodness of God to save each of us sinners! He “stablished” us, confirmed us not by the consistency of our walk, but “in” the very Person of our perfect Savior. On top of, added to, that secure position, He “anointed us” with Himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

 (2Co 1:20) “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”  “….all the promises…are yea (yes), and….Amen…”  The promises of God to His saved children are all good and settled – sure (Amen). There is no reason for any true child to doubt His Word.

(2Co 1:19) “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.”  “Jesus Christ…not yea or nay, but…yea”: Nothing about salvation through, by, and in the Lord Jesus is ambivalent. It is all the most positive thing that has ever been offered or received.

 (2Co 1:17) “When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? (18) But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.” Apparently some were upset when Paul did not arrive when expected. They did not have the understanding that man does not  have the power to determine even what will happen today (James 4:13-17). That power and right belong to God alone.