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Words of Life
No 5, 2023, Germany
2 Corinthians 8:11
One of our human attributes, which affects many aspects of daily lives, is that our ‘spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak’. (Matthew 26:41)
How often do we think of a good idea which requires doing and we never get past the thought phase? How often do we decide to change our behaviour but never get around to implementing the change? How often do we have a desire to help others, but never put that desire into action?
The latter is the context of this verse from Apostle Paul to the Corinthians about helping others. A willing mind or ‘readiness to will’ is of little gain to anyone if we do not perform the doing of it. Conversely, God has promised to bless the doing of good to others. Matthew 10:42, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
In all the contexts above, thought without the action or doing is really, quite empty and vain.
Action is also advantageous (expedient) when it relates to our own soul. Whilst we are ‘saved by grace through faith’, faith itself is meant to be alive and doing. James 2:17, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
An old proverb helps to illustrate the underlying danger of inaction, whether it be due to procrastination, laziness, or pure distraction by other things;
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
Author unknown.
The solution to being able to do all things is succinctly put in scripture. Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”