2 Corinthians 11:4–6
For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.
The Corinthian church looked down on Paul because they felt that Paul was not one of the Lord’s apostles since he did not physically follow Jesus. Hence when Paul writes the Corinthian church, in both his first letter and his second letter, he would emphasize that he is the “apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God”. When people were accusing him of looking unimpressive or his speaking amounting to nothing, Paul reminded them, “I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.”
We tend to judge people by appearances. Appearances do not only mean outward appearance, but also someone’s gifts, talents and wealth. We often treat others with our personal bias. Just as the book of James say, “Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet.” James said, “Have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” The truth is we often fall into this trap, focusing on outward appearances. Paul was attacked in a similar manner. The church at that time loved Peter, because Peter was with Jesus. However, they looked down on Paul because Paul could only teach. He did not have as many stories to tell. May the Lord help us not to judge people by appearance. The Jews judged Jesus by appearance and crucified Him on the cross. This is such a scary thing.
How can we not treat people with discrimination? Firstly, do not over-rely on our first impression. When we meet someone, our first impression generally determine how we treat that person going forward. Secondly, we have to pray for that person. Do not gossip about them, but pray for them and ask God to bless them. Thirdly, we need to do what we can to help them. When you help someone, God’s spirit will give us a bigger heart to accept people who are different. May the Lord help us not to discriminate against people by their appearance from today onwards.
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord I thank you for watching over us. Lord may you help us not to discriminate against people by their appearance, but treat your servants and our brothers and sisters in accordance with your will, so that the love of Christ may flow out from us. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!
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