WE STAND IN FAITH

Bible Text: "Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm." 2 Corinthians 1:23-24

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.

Paul is taking a serious oath. While Jesus said we should live our lives in such a way so that oaths were not necessary (Matthew 5:33-37), it does not mean oaths are prohibited.

On occasion, even God swears an oath (Hebrews 6:13).

“Not that we have dominion over your faith” Paul is careful to point out that he is no one’s lord in the church, even though he is an apostle.
Standing in faith is not by inactivity when you are not practicing, remember, someone somewhere is practicing, and when you meet him he will win.

Grenville Kleiser said “As you put into practice the qualities of patience, punctuality, sincerity, and solicitude, you will have a better opinion of the world around you”. Instead of seeing himself as some kind of “lord” over the Corinthian Christians, Paul gives a great description of what a minister should be.

Leaders among Christians should work alongside their people to increase their joy. Sadly, there are far too many that are entirely willing to take dominion over other believers in a manner that Paul would not.