JULY 15, 2014
True
Loyalty
Read: 2
Corinthians 11:23-31
If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
—2 Corinthians
11:30
By one estimate, more
than 14 trillion frequent-flyer miles have been accumulated by people
worldwide. It all started in the early 1980s, when airlines began the first
frequent-flyer programs to encourage repeat business by rewarding customers for
their loyalty. Accumulated miles could be redeemed for free travel, goods, and
services, so it wasn’t long before people began planning their travel based as
much on personal reward as on price or schedule.
The apostle Paul was
an avid first-century traveler, but he wasn’t in it for the “frequent-sailor
miles.” His goal was to reach as many people as he could with the good news of
forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Jesus. When some people in the
city of Corinth questioned his authority, he wrote a letter describing the
price he had paid to bring the gospel to others: “Three times I was beaten with
rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I
have been in the deep” (2 Cor. 11:25). God gave Paul the grace and endurance to
risk his life to tell people about Jesus with no thought of personal gain.
Whether we receive
persecution or praise for our service to the Lord, may our focus always be
loyalty to Him and gratitude for His sacrifice of love.
I am Yours, Lord, yet
teach me all it means,
All it involves of
love and loyalty,
Of holy service, full
and glad,
In unreserved
obedience to Thee! —Bennett
Our loyalty to Jesus
grows from His love for us.
Insight
To modern-day
followers of Christ, the apostle Paul is held in the highest regard for his
tireless work of teaching, church-planting, and writing of biblical letters.
This, however, was not the case in the first century. Even after years of
faithful service, Paul had to write the letter of 2 Corinthians to defend his
calling and ministry, which was being questioned by people in Corinth. Today’s
reading is a part of that defense of his ministry.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
