One For the Critics.

The apostle Paul had his share of enemies and critics— and he knew it— especially in Corinth.  Just as any man or woman of conscience and compassion will have in a fallen world, just as any man or woman standing fast on the Word and having impact in the world will have in a faithless generation full of the self-absorbed.  Remember, though we know this Epistle as II Corinthians, this is actually the fourth letter he’s written to the Churches of Achaia.  And they deal, predominantly, with one problem after another... after another... after another— from divisions due to factious allegiances, to rampant sexual sin {deviance not even pagans indulged in}, to faulty elevation of the more visible spiritual gifts {the outwardly spectacular}, to socio-economic elitism and injustice.  He’s covering the whole ground, from A to Z.

In light of those willing to criticize his any and every move, he takes the steps necessary to ensure no charge can legitimately be leveled against him.  He wisely allows others, “praised by all the Churches for” their “service to the Gospel” and an “honor to Christ” {2 Cor. 8:18b and 23b}, to help him complete the task of carrying this offering to Jerusalem.  In fact, he goes on to say of the Saint mentioned after Titus, “What is more, he was chosen by the Churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, [notice] which we administer in order to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help,” 8:19.

The first man mentioned in v. 18, the one “praised by all the Churches for his service to the Gospel,” has traditionally been identified as Luke, the beloved physician.  The Collection for St. Luke’s Day {Oct. 18th}, observed in Roman Catholicism, the Eastern Orthodox, and even some Protestant circles, pretty much assumes this identification.  Do we know this is Luke for certain?  No.  Can we nail down the identity of the other two mentioned?  No.  And the truth is it doesn’t matter in the least.  There’s a reason these men are left unnamed.  Cause Paul obviously has no problem mentioning faithful servants of the Master by name, over and over in his Epistles.

Like many of us who serve behind the scenes: they stand unnamed but not unacknowledged.  There are, and should be, an enormous number of ‘unknowns’ serving behind the scenes in any Body of Believers.  Abba knows all the unknowns, and He blesses them richly in their ‘service to the Saints.’  You know what being unknown is all about, what Abba is trying to emphasize?  Eternal grace over temporal glory, divine power over human personality.  He’s saying, “You may be unknown by man but you are not unacknowledged by Me, nor unrewarded in My Presence!”

Abba uses those of us who are open to His Word and available to His will as weapons in the Conflict!  Weapons of strength and love, truth and grace, courage and compassion— the only weapons evil cannot overcome.  Abba uses a vast number of ‘nobodies’ as instruments of His grace.  So, here it is.  Every gifting of the Spirit doesn’t carry a maximum amount of exposure!  Some of us are going to be required to fight in the trenches, behind the scenes, on the other side of the curtain.  You savvy?  Good... so it won’t bother you the next time you don’t get praised and applauded for some deed done in the Spirit of Jesus.  Because you know and you trust the One who sees behind the scenes.  Your Day is coming ...stand fast, my friend.

HJC	Ric Webb  |  Shepherd Heart’s Journey Community 9621 Tall Timber Blvd. |  Little Rock, AR 72204 t +1.501.455.0296
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