Daily Bread 10-7-16
2 Corinthians 10:12-17
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
ref. - 2 Co 5:12 - For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
1 Co 9:1 - For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
Ro 15:20 - Yea, so I have strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation.
Jer 9:24 - But let him that glorieth glory in this,that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
The purpose of this scripture is to let us know that we, if we are led and called by God, will not have to use someone else's ministry or teachings to lead others to prosper in the Lord. It is not what God has put in other men that we should communicate but that which God has put in us that will lead to a fruitful offering. It is not for us to be able to copy or mimic others but to let God work in us and through us with the information and understanding that he has given us. Today there are too many so called ministers that study other people's work and try to copy it or duplicate what another man has done. If we would just use the faith that we say that we have then we should know that God will lead us to understand and communicate the things that will help those he has put in front of us. Not using the testimony or teaching of others but our own testimonies and the teaching that God has given us through the Holy Ghost. If led by the Holy Ghost and truly from God, our words and teachings will unite in the gospel of Christ and though they may be similar they will also be unique to our own measure or what God has put in us. They will lead to the same place, Christ Jesus. The same doctrine, The Holy Bible divided rightly through the anointing of the Holy Ghost. And one God, one faith, one baptism, and one way to eternal life. We do not need to recreate the works of Christ or change them to make them better, we need to let Christ work in us to further and continue what he has started. This will never come from hours in a classroom or countless time studying the works of others, it will come from following the scripture in our search for salvation, the sanctification of our lives, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. But we must remember, we cannot go outside of the measure that God has given us in doctrine, teaching, reproof, or any other aspect of the ministry of the gospel of Christ. It will not lead others to Christ it will lead others to others and there is no glory in ourselves but the glory belongs to the Lord!!! Have a great day!!!