Slices
Prepare
Pray for the church to which you belong. Pray for those areas where misunderstanding has strained relationships. If you’ve played a part in those misunderstandings, ask for God’s grace to help make things right.
Bible passage
Paul’s change of plans
12 Now this is our boast: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write to you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to let you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’?
18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us – by me, Silas and Timothy – was not ‘Yes’ and ‘No’, but in him it has always been ‘Yes’. 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Explore
Delegations raising concerns had come to Paul in Ephesus (see 1 Corinthians 1:10,11; 16:17). He had addressed them in 1 Corinthians. But when this was read aloud in their gatherings, probably by Timothy, controversy erupted. Visiting in person to deal with the controversy, however, had been a painful experience (see 2:1; 12:20,21).
While in Corinth, Paul had promised to change his itinerary with the Judean collection, visiting them on the way out and back. Back in Ephesus, he reconsidered that promise, choosing instead to address his concerns in a memorably direct letter (see 2 Corinthians 7:8,9; 10:10). When has changing your mind been the right thing to do?
Changing his mind so publicly was seen by some as evidence of Paul’s worldly wisdom rather than godly grace. Paul answered that charge by stressing his utter straightforwardness in dealing with them (v 12) and how they’d met Jesus through his ministry. Yes, he’d changed his mind, but God hadn’t, keeping all his promises in Jesus (v 20). Which of God’s promises are blessing you today? Paul’s plans had changed, but their being sealed with the Spirit through Paul meant the church’s future was secure (v 22).
Respond
Think of any recent criticism you’ve received. Ask the Spirit to help you to sift it. What should you dismiss and what should you take to heart?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 35,36; Luke 1:39–80
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for all the children and young people who will come to our events this summer. Ask that they would not be nervous, but excited by the opportunities to learn new skills, make new friends, discover more about Jesus and draw closer to him.
Because a strong start begins with smart preparation
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