Paul’s general concern for the Corinthians is on full display in the opening section of chapter eleven of 2 Corinthians. His concern was that in listening to false teachers, people would accept a false Christ. This is where the reality of false teaching really starts, around the person and work of Jesus Christ. And today we are living in a time where there is a great deal of disagreement over theological issues. What was once considered to be universal truth is now scoffed at and many people have abandoned simple gospel truths. Paul is worried that in the spirit of unity, or acceptance, the Corinthians would abandon Christ.
Notice what Paul highlights about the message of Christ in verse three, which is devotion to Christ. False teachers tried to make the message of Christ complex. Theology can be technical and complex at times and Paul was no stranger to these portions of the Christian faith. However, Paul knew the heart of the Christian message is simplicity. Confession, repentance, and belief are not complex, but they are essential.
In a world that thrives on making the simple complex and the complex simple, Christians should be striving to do both biblically. Christians can embrace the complex aspects of the faith and should advocate for them even during times of doubt. Christians must reclaim a deep and orthodox faith. Christians also need to advocate for simplicity and clarity in all areas. The message of the Gospel is available to all people, and we must make sure to disciple them in the ways of the faith–faith which enables them to stand against those skeptics who seek to challenge the beliefs of Christianity.
Consider the devotion above and post your response to the questions below.
- Why is the person and work of Jesus Christ so essential to Christianity?
- How can the church disciple Christians into a deep and orthodox Christianity?
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