2 Corinthians 11:6 –
I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.
This was an interesting chapter where Paul spent some time taking about false apostles and his own trials. When I read passages about false teachers I often wonder if the church where I am at is right, if I am muddying the waters with these “thoughts” and what real truth is in God’s eyes. Really the only thing we have to go by is the Bible for truth and therefore we must make it a goal to read the Word each and every day. That way we will know the truth and can see when something isn’t quite right.
Now as I read the accounts of Paul I often wonder how many Christians there would be in this nation if the pastors said “hey I get flogged constantly for my beliefs … follow me so you can do the same!” Paul’s suffering in Jesus’ name is great stories of faith, but what if you we facing 39 lashes for your beliefs? Would you say “bring it on” or “hold it”? The old “I’ll say what they want to hear and save my skin, since my beliefs will not change” does not always work when changing hearts.
Now you may wonder why this verse? Well if you have ever held a conversation with me you’ll quickly find out I ramble and cannot quickly form thoughts in verbal form. I get distracted easily and forget what I am saying. Tangents are worse when we are talking because I rarely return to the original thought process. So I can relate to Paul being an unskilled speaker, at least he could write!! Paul has a huge advantage of being a Jew before converting, since he understood the “roots” of Jesus’ sacrifice and the real meaning of Messiah. So he has a much better foundation than almost any Christian around.
I pray my knowledge could come even slightly close to Paul’s. We most likely only have a sample of his insight to Jesus! Could you imagine being able to converse with Paul and discuss the details of a Christians walk? It would be cool, except for the persecution aspect. If anything I write is off standard with the Bible or your understanding of Christianity, feel free to contact me so we can discuss the “nuts and bolts”. These ramblings I hope are God inspired and help you daily, but I can humbly say “I don’t know nothing!”** But I will keep reading and studying to gain a further understanding.
** a miss-quote of “You ain’t nothing” from Jammin Jimmy Weinert.