Wed., 9/21/16 Devotion (2 Cor. 10:4-6)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, where Paul wrote these astonishing words:

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."

Behold the armament of the church and the pastoral ministry. Paul's oppo-nents had corrupted the Corinthian congregation; and now the apostle brings out the “heavy artillery,” as he annihilates the work of the devil, and re-estab-lishes and furthers the cause of Christ.

Let all true believers remember this: discipleship begins in the church; but it does not stop there. By grace, the Corinthian Christians would eventually join with Paul and expunge the evil from their midst.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Moderate sorrow differs from immoderate sorrow in this: true sorrow stirs up holy endeavors to act in your place and calling for the deliverance of the church.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]