Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
— 2 Corinthians 13:7 —
Melvin Romero: Evangelical Ministries of the Americas | Honduras
Paul’s pastoral heart is consumed by the spiritual life of his sheep. In his ministry, there existed nothing more important. In this verse, Paul prays to God for the obedience and holiness of the Corinthians: “Now we pray to God that you do no wrong.” In addition, Paul tells them the reason for which he makes this request: “Not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.” We are to imitate Christ’s humility with the same love that led Him to die on the cross. Paul is not interested in receiving the approval of his critics; his interest is in the well-being of God’s flock. We find this attitude throughout Paul’s letters. In Philippians 4, he expresses his joy and gratitude for the care and help that their church had sent, but his joy was not on account of his personal gain. Rather, he rejoiced because such generosity benefitted the Philippians themselves as they did what was pleasing to the Lord. The Lord Jesus said it this way: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Few of us are ever put in a position to literally die for another, but we each have countless opportunities to move into the background and allow others to benefit before ourselves, more than ourselves, and instead of ourselves. This is our calling as believers. We are to imitate Christ’s humility with the same love that led Him to die on the cross. Brothers and sisters, the best way to demonstrate such love is to help others to be found faithful daily before God, even as Paul desired and prayed that the Corinthians “do what is right.”
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