Who Are You Trying to Impress?

All throughout 2 Corinthians, Paul has been defending his ministry from attacks within. Members of the church in Corinth have been accusing him of wrong doing, doubting his ability, and thinking less of him in comparison to other church leaders. Under this barrage of insults on his ministry, its interesting how Paul responds.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Through all of the struggles of ministry, Paul has defended himself to the Corinthians. He has demonstrated the fact that he is as qualified as the other apostles. He has performed signs and wonders among them. Additionally, Paul had done no wrong in proclaiming his right to support from the church without exercising that right. Paul has ably defended his ministry. The Corinthian church should be impressed right?

The fact of the matter is, Paul is not defending himself so the Corinthian church will accept him. Paul realizes that how he looks in their eyes matter a lot less than who he is in God’s eyes. In verse 19 Paul says,

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding beloved.

There will be times in our lives where people make an incorrect opinion of us. Maybe we are accused of doing something when we haven’t. Its important for us to remember that what we do matters not in their eyes, but in God’s eyes. We’re not trying to impress people, we’re trying to be obedient to God. 1 Peter 2:21-23 gives us Jesus as the perfect example of living for God and letting Him be the judge.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

So, who are you trying to impress?