Suffering Sacrifice

2 Corinthians 11

​What are you willing to suffer to do the will of God and to ensure the Gospel is proclaimed? What hardships are you willing to endure to provide God’s love and saving message—the birth, perfect life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ—to a lost and dying world?

Are you echoing the message of salvation and eternal hope louder and more intentional as the days grow darker—as censorship, suppression, and persecution becomes more and more prevalent? What are you doing to proclaim and defend the Gospel? What are you willing to do, even endure, to ensure everyone, everywhere, and in every way that people in your circle of influence and community comes to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior?

The Apostle Paul, who was once a persecutor of Christians, was willing to lay all things down—body, reputation, and even his life—for the cause of Christ.

As he lists in 2 Corinthians 11, his faith and relentless following of Jesus was not just words of belief spoken by many false prophets. He suffered much and many times. Some of the Corinthians were believing the lies of false prophets and boasting about their great sacrifice. But , Paul could boast much more.  Paul mentioned his sufferings only to defend the gospel and the authority of his ministry. The false teachers bragged about their triumphs, but Paul boasted about his trials.

“Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! 20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!  But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.” 2 Corinthians 11:18–33 (ESV)

“The principle of sacrifice is that we choose to do or to suffer what apart from our love we should not choose to do or to suffer. When love is returned, this sacrifice is the most joyful thing in the world, and heaven is the life of joyful sacrifice. But in a selfish world it must be painful, and the pain is the source of triumph.”William Temple

While unpacking the opening of chapter 11, Warren Wiersbe calls followers, especially leaders, to beware and stand strong against false prophets and their destructive lies. He says, “Spiritual leaders must protect the church from false teachers who are like suitors trying to seduce the church from devotion to Christ. Beware losing your love for Christ and for those who helped you trust the Savior.”

In verses 5-15, Paul addressed another issue and and experienced a finger pointing complaint from a few wayward believers in the Corinthian church. He sternly reminded them that he had the right to receive financial support at Corinth, but he laid it aside and sacrificed for them in love. They obviously did not appreciate it!

Do you appreciate the sacrifices others make for you? Are you willing to sacrifice for others even when they do not thank you?
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Today, live loud for Jesus and intentionally do all you can to help someone know and walk closer to Jesus. Make sure everyone hears the Gospel, despite the sacrifice or the suffering, and be reminded of all those who have sacrificed and suffered to ensure God’s saving message reached your ears. Keep sharing!

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