Restricted by Affections

"O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. ¹² You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections."

2 Corinthians 6:11-12

The apostle Paul had been instrumental in preaching the Gospel and instructing the church in Corinth.  He chose to support his own pastoral ministry by making tents so no one could accuse him of using the Gospel to enrich himself financially.  At times the choice to support himself backfired in one sense, for some viewed this tradesman as being without proper credentials to teach.  But Paul had authority from God and spoke the truth in love, even when it stung.  There were some in the Corinthian church who aligned themselves with other teachers to oppose Paul and claimed his attempts to deal with sin and promote unity was an overreach.  Like a teenage son or daughter eager to throw off the authority of parents they feel are too controlling, they resented Paul's involvement.

Paul responded to these murmurings and false accusations wisely.  He held forth a principle which is widely applicable to people in the church today.  He said, "You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections."  It is very easy to find fault with others, to blame others for our lack of satisfaction or status.  There are many people who desire to have a particular role in ministry - to be a pastor, worship, or study leader - and when this opportunity is not given they believe they are being held back from something they are called to and capable of.  Paul's leadership was solid and biblical, but some saw his involvement as meddlesome and controlling.  Paul asserted he was not restricting anyone, but the people were restricted by their own affections.

It is likely far easier to give Paul the benefit of the doubt than people we know personally.  It is possible to sin by scheming to manipulate or control others, but Paul's statement is instructive for all who feel they are being unfairly "restricted" by others:  to a degree we are being restricted by our own affections.  Consider this example:  a boy feels unfairly treated because his parents will not allow him to go to a party where there will be underage drinking.  He wants to be with his friends; he desires acceptance and seeks fun.  His parents have his good in mind, but he cannot see it because he is being kept from what he craves.  If he loved his parents and trusted them, he would be thankful they were looking out for his well-being instead of being resentful.  "You never let me have any fun!" he shouts.  His affections blind him to his parent's love and therefore remains restricted to his narrow, short-sighted view.  He is locked in a cage of bitterness for his trouble, and even when he physically leaves home he cannot escape it.

Godliness with contentment is great gain, and this is something as followers of Jesus we all must practically learn.  The purpose of this post is not to cast judgment on your feelings or situation, but to hold forth the everlasting truth of God's Word:  do you believe verse 12 has been or can be relevant to your life personally?  Is it possible you have not been restricted by God or others but instead have been restricted by your own affections?  No one likes to feel cramped and hemmed in, and it is natural for us to want to throw off restrictions and do as we like.  Yet at the same time the Bible is clear in whatever state we are to be content - whether married, unmarried, as a member of a "dysfunctional" family or church, regardless if the government is democratic or communistic, or if you have the role in church you desire.  Those Jesus has made free are free indeed, for where the Spirit of the LORD is there is freedom.  When we invite God to govern our affections and humble ourselves under His rule we discover true liberty.

God Will

At the dawn of a new year, many people seize the opportunity to make resolutions.  Whether or not they tend to stick is beside the point!  It is not just a new year which can motivate a person to promise or pledge to do things differently.  For some it may be ill-fitting pants which lead to more regular exercise.  It could be a close call behind the wheel which prompts someone to stop drink-driving.  A decision to change doesn't always end with the desired change, but few positive changes in life occur without acknowledging we need to change.  The human will is incredibly strong, but it doesn't mean we always do what we say we will.

A couple things I love about God is He is good and He does not change.  When He says He will do something, He will.  It may not look like anything is happening, and it may seem like an eternity before progress is made.  God will always be true to His Word, and when we meet His conditions we can place our complete confidence in Him.  This morning I read a wonderful thing for us to say we will do (and actually follow through) in Psalm 91:2:  "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."  Upon legal tender used in the United States it is written, "In God We Trust."  Have you discovered trusting God is not something to say but to do?  The amazing thing is when we place our faith in God He will follow through without fail to render to us specific blessings out of His grace.

Later in Psalm 91 the voice of the passage changes.  Instead of speaking about God from the third person, it shifts to the first person voice.  God has resolved in Psalm 91:14-16, "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. ¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. ¹⁶  With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."  See all the things God has promised to do for all who trust in Him?  I will deliver him; I will set him on high; I will answer his prayers; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver and honour him; I will satisfy him with long life; I will show him My salvation.  Will you speak of the LORD and trust in Him?  Blessings beyond count and compare are given by God to all who do so!  Let us be ever resolute in faith as we depend upon God's strength, and praise God all He says He will do.

Enabled to Stand

It all started like a regular day at church:  there was prayer, fellowship, and giving.  Things changed after a large financial gift was presented to the church leadership.  Instead of commendation, blessing, and acknowledgement, there was rebuke.  It was divinely revealed the man had only given a portion of what he claimed, and suddenly he fell down dead.  This was a day at church no one would ever forget, and three hours later it became even more crazy when the wife of the man also fell down dead in the congregation for lying to God.  This is a true story, and you can read about the demise of Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts chapter 5.

The Bible says great fear came upon all those who heard these things, and the wise today still take notice.  After teaching this portion of scripture at church this weekend, I put myself in the place of a congregant in the church in Jerusalem.  How would I felt to see these sudden deaths for lying to the Holy Spirit?  Then I started thinking, what if something like this happened in church today?  What would be your response if this happened in your church on Sunday?  What would you tell your children who were eye-witnesses?  Would you keep going to that church, would you look for other church options, or would you quit going to church altogether?  Though the early church met from house to house, there was only one "Christian" church option in Jerusalem.  How might have this display of power affected you or your worship?

I cannot speak for you, but seeing Ananias and Sapphira fall down dead would not have put me off following Jesus or gathering to worship in Jerusalem.  The word of knowledge through Peter, the discernment provided by the Holy Spirit, and the power over life and death proved the presence of God was there.  As a lover of God, where else would you go?  Wonders, healings, and deliverance from evil spirits continued in the name of Jesus Christ by the apostles and believers, and people were added to the church continually.  Why?  Jesus alone has the words of life and only through faith in Jesus is forgiveness and salvation.  The God who kills can also make alive, and all who have been born again through the Gospel can rely upon the goodness, mercy, and grace of God forever.

It would not be long before persecution scattered the true church in Jerusalem across the globe.  New churches united in the name of Jesus sprang up in every place, having been grafted into the body of Christ.  Today we have the benefit of various expressions of faith and fellowship in Jesus Christ, and like nomads many believers drift from fellowship to fellowship looking for something.  If the words of life - the teaching of the Word of God - are absent, it should be no surprise if the power and presence of God is quiet.  Praise the LORD Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to fill every Christian, and even in a church gathering some might classify as "dead" there is new life ready to spring forth.  Let us be as those in the early church, brave pioneers who were glad to continue meeting even when people fell beside them.  Followers of Jesus can say with assurance, "A thousand may fall at my side but it will not come near me." (from Ps. 91:7)  As God enables us to stand, may we do so in purity, holiness, righteousness, and power.

The God Who Is

God is not like a person who conveys, "Do as I say but not as I do."  He is not like a parent who needs to apologise after doing or saying something they forbid of their children.  He is utterly consistent in His righteousness and purity.  His holiness reaches infinitely beyond our ability to ascertain, and He says truly of Himself:  "I am the LORD; I change not."

Romans 1:31 sums up the condition of a sinner worthy of death with five words which are the antithesis of the of character of God:  "undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful."  Having established His throne on righteousness, God is the source and sustainer of all life.  God is discerning, knowing all things.  He is absolutely trustworthy for He cannot tell a lie.  God is loving, demonstrating this reality by sending Jesus Christ to save sinners.  He is forgiving, a quality not found in men who nurse grudges and remember wrongs done against them.  He also delights to show mercy because He is merciful.  This is the God who was, is, and is to come.  He is our Creator and divine sovereign who is worthy to be worshipped and praised.

Though we have all been undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, and unmerciful, we sinners can be born again and sanctified by the grace of God.  The wickedness which marked our lives we cannot undo, yet God can make us new with a clean slate.  Because of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, our thoughts, motives, and ability to perceive spiritual truth begins to align more with His.  Naturally in us there is no good thing (Romans 7:18), and thus any attribute deemed good has been gifted by God to us.  How we need Him, and may we do more than appreciate Him:  let us praise Him, exalt Him, and honour Him now and forever.