“Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognise that we belong to Christ as much as they do. I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.”
2 Corinthians 10:7-8 NLT
A summary of these two verses indicates that Paul challenged the Corinthians to look beyond outward appearances and recognise the true basis of his authority. He reminded them that if anyone claimed to belong to Christ, they should acknowledge that Paul belonged to Christ just as much. His authority as an apostle did not come from human approval or impressive appearance, but from the Lord Himself. Paul also explained that the authority given to him was not meant to dominate or harm them, but to build them up spiritually. Even if he spoke boldly about this authority, he was not ashamed of it, because it was God-given and intended for their strengthening, not their destruction. We also remember that Paul’s authority was apostolic, emphasising that it came from Christ and was meant for the spiritual growth and encouragement of believers, not for control or intimidation.
Paul made an obvious point, though. Belonging to Christ is a label that applies to all saved Christians who have placed their trust and faith in Jesus, the Saviour of the world. We can never belittle our favoured state, because when we consider what Jesus did for us, in its universal application, what conclusion can we otherwise reach? God had a plan for the salvation of mankind, and He revealed it to His prophets throughout the Old Testament, as in Isaiah 53, which sets it out exclusively. Isaiah 53:10-11, “But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins”. Jesus was clear about His mission, as He implemented the plan, and John 3:16-17 succinctly summarises it. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”. The “world” is not a word that allows a selection for some people and not others. It is an all-encompassing catch-all that promises salvation for anyone who believes in Him, with all that that entails.
So we pilgrims all belong to Christ, whether we are the minister or pastor, or just a new Christian sitting in a pew. One day, we will all find ourselves with Jesus in Heaven. Because we now belong to Christ, we live in such a way that honours Him. Paul wrote, “Don’t you realise that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Belonging to Christ is a state that determines how I live, because “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Paul seemed to have some critics in Corinth who perhaps claimed that they belonged to Christ, and he didn’t. Today, some may make similar claims, even if they are not spoken aloud. Perhaps we do it ourselves when we look at other believers who perhaps are not so committed as we are. Other believers who perhaps only make the occasional Sunday service or who neglect to attend the monthly or weekly mid-week meetings. We forget in our criticisms that they, too, belong to Christ, and they are probably in a different place in their journey than we are. Our salvation does not depend on the number of meetings we attend or how many chapters in the Bible we read each day. The thief next to Jesus at Calvary claimed none of these things, and yet was promised a place in Paradise “that very day”. All that matters is what Paul wrote, “we belong to Christ”. From that favoured place, we worship Him today and every day. We were lost but are now found. We are secure in Jesus.
Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for Your plan for our salvation. We confess that we have looked at others and not at Jesus when it comes to matters of our faith. Please forgive us, we pray, and help us on our journey to the Promised Land, our ultimate home with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 