Team,
Aloha and good morning to you all once again! I understand I am a little early this week, but wasn't sure about my connectivity in the coming days. I hope you find this a pleasant surprise as you head into the weekend.
This week we continued our study of Paul's Letters with 2nd Corinthians Chapter 11. Paul continues to justify his message to the church and highlights some flaws the people exercised in his day and still continue in ours. The big takeaway I had here was that God in his genius provides us with a simple solution to the complex messes we create: repent and be forgiven. And I think we struggle with this because we somehow want it to be more difficult; we struggle to accept simple and postulate that the more complex the solution, the more refined, the better. Let's get into it:
“But if you put up with these big-shot “apostles,” why can’t you put up with simple me? I’m as good as they are. It’s true that I don’t have their voice, haven’t mastered that smooth eloquence that impresses you so much. But when I do open my mouth, I at least know what I’m talking about. We haven’t kept anything back. We let you in on everything.”
I highlight this passage, although it could have been any of a number in this chapter, because it brings forward the point that we are often caught up in the complexity and 'production-value' of what we are experiencing vice the Truth that is being conveyed. As Paul says, he is a simple man with a simple message: we have sinned and require forgiveness. The people initially accept this, however when the next 'wise-man' comes into town and explains a more involved and perhaps scholarly path, the people flock to him and cast aside the simple Truth Paul outlined. It sounds like we as people have not changes that much over the centuries. Our limited minds come to the conclusion that the complexities of our lives and our sins require an equally nuanced solution that we must earn and work through. However, isn't true genius providing a simple solution to a complex scenario? And who would be more equipped to apply genius to our lives than God? Consider that thought as you progress into the weekend and weigh it's merit.
I hope you have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you all in the near future. Stay encouraged and excited! Life is good.
-the contrary disciple