As A Spiritual Parent

As A Spiritual Parent
II Corinthians 13:1-13

It is so easy as a parent to not follow through an what you tell your kids. So often we tell them to do something, and later do it ourselves or forget what we told them. By doing so we teach them that it is not very important. They learn their standard of importance from our attitude, and push a little to see how important it really is. Paul had started the church, then sent a letter with Timothy when problems arose. Titus has recently reported that while some were acting on what Paul had written, there were others who were not.

Just as a parent may find it necessary to punish a child to drive home the importance of what they are telling him, Paul is warning that if they do not listen, the things he has instructed the church are so critical to its spiritual growth that he will be forced to take more vigorous action if they continue to ignore his instructions. He does not look forward to having to do this.

“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.“ (II Corinthians 13:1-3)

It is necessary that the parents act as parents for the children’s sake. Children do not always understand what is good for them, and need someone to take that responsibility until they are mature enough to make their own decisions. As an Apostle, and their father in the Lord, Paul had a similar responsibility to the Corinthians. Continuing in their present path left questions as to whether they were truly Christians.

“For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. “ (II Corinthians 13:4-6)

The Holy Spirit working in our lives is the proof of our salvation. When his working is not evident, others have reason for questioning our salvation, and we better check to be sure he is there. A life filled with the Holy Spirit will not be characterized by sin, but by obedience to God. It is only possible by the Spirit’s power.

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the SpiritFor to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:5-17)

Victory over sin, assurance of salvation, and the fruit of the Spirit are dependent on allowing the Holy Spirit to control our lives. It is critical that the church, as individuals come to the point of walking in the spirit. Without doing so, we will never attain what God has for us in this life, nor will we be effective witnesses to him. The goal is to bring every Christian to that walk.

“Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.” (II Corinthians 13:7-10)

Paul concludes the letter with encouragement to allow the Holy spirit to work in us, producing fruit, which we are to demonstrate to each other, including those outside our church.

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” (II Corinthians 13:11-14)