March 20, 2014
MAKING GOOD DECISIONS
2 Corinthians 1:12-24
Greg Turner
Central Truth
Base your decisions on God's wisdom and not the wisdom of the world or your selfish desires.
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 1:12
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we have behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. (2 Corinthians 1:12)
2 Corinthians 1:12-24
Paul's Change of Plans
12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity 1 1:12 Some manuscripts holiness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.
15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2 1:22 Or down payment
23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
Dive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 1:12-24
In this passage, Paul is explaining to the Corinthians the basis of his decision to not come and visit them as he had originally planned. Some of the Corinthians were critical and saying that his decision not to come showed indecision and a lack of spiritual maturity. Paul was confident in the decision and knew it was correct because he was not relying on worldly wisdom or selfish desires, but he was relying on sound biblical principles and God's grace. His decision was based upon following the Lord's will and his deep concern for the Corinthians.
I look at how I make decisions, and the process is often based on foolishness or worldly wisdom, not biblical wisdom and God's grace. My personal selfishness -- not my concerns for others and a commitment to follow the Lord's will -- often creeps into my decision making. How can I change that? How can I consistently base my decisions on biblical principles and God's grace?
The place to start is to be diligent in Scripture through reading, studying, and memorization. This should be accompanied by prayer and reflection. Engaging in these practices works best for me at the beginning of each day. Paul also recommends that we continue to keep our thoughts on the Lord throughout the day ("Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)). While this is not always easy, it is life changing when you do it! Another key step is to be actively involved with other Christians in community in which you are encouraged and provided with truth and wisdom grounded in Scripture.
If I am doing these things, the Lord will be able to work through me to help me be more like Paul and not base my decisions on worldly wisdom and selfish desires, but on the Lord's will and the needs of others.
Discussion Questions
1. How have I planned my day to include praying, studying, and reading Scripture consistently to allow God to work in my life to be a light in a dark world and make sound decisions? Am I doing my part to participate in a community that assists me to stay on the right path?
2. What are the decisions that I need to make today and the near future? Am I being guided by worldly wisdom and selfishness or by biblical principles and the needs of others? Should I be sharing these issues with my community?
3. What is a specific tangible way that I can step out in faith today, like Paul, and allow God to work through me and for His glory?