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Articles
I believed, and therefore have I spoken
Paul in 2 Corinthians 4 is talking about his suffering, abuse and misuse as a result of his ministry of preaching the gospel, vs.1-12. He goes on to make a very interesting point in verse 13, "We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak." May we develop this important principle that Paul speaks of.
Paul said he had the same kind of faith as the Psalmist did, who spoke in Ps.116:10, "I believed, and therefore have I spoken." Paul said he spoke as a result of his faith in God and his word. Paul spoke out of conviction, the persuasion, the confidence he had in God and the gospel that had been committed to his trust. Paul had said earlier in this book, IICorinthians 3:12 "Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech." The NAS translates the verse, "Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech."Now boldness does not suggest arrogance or haughtiness, but confidence. Paul preached the truth out of conviction in his heart. His faith, in the gospel he held in his heart moved and compelled him to speak. Paul was a fellow that was ready to defend the truth that he held to, "But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel" Philippians 1:17. The early church was a militant, aggressive group that spoke the word of God without fear or favor. Their faith moved them to speak up and to speak out.
It seems the spirit of our day is to say nothing, and not speak out on anything that may seem controversial. It seems a lot of us are "spiritual whimps," and have the backbone of a wet noodle. Moral cowards are not look favorably look upon by our Lord, cf. Rev.21:8, Mt.25:25-26.
May we be a the wise man said, "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1
