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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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2 Corinthians 1:24
Comments
The apostle is saying here – and be careful as I say this because of course the apostle did have authority, he was a channel for the Word of God, and the Word of God has total authority – but for the moment, he is speaking of himself, not as the inspired giver of God’s Word, but as a minister, as a preacher. In this sense we have ‘no dominion over your faith.’ ‘By faith you stand.’ What he means is this. I cannot successfully command you to repair these things that are wrong and demand your obedience to me. Your obedience must be to God. By faith you stand. The repentance must be your own, personal, voluntary, willing; desiring repentance before God. That is true and we do desire it because of the wonderful work of conversion in our hearts. We do not mend our ways because we are bullied by preachers, we mend our ways because this is the word of God and voluntarily we repent and put things right.
Application
It is the same with conversion. Some people think they can manipulate the conversion process: bring people to the front, build up the emotions in the service and by emotional manipulation get a response to the gospel. But by faith you stand. Nobody moved your emotions so that you couldn’t help yourself. You saw the point; you saw the gospel; you came under conviction of sin; you exercised your faith in Christ and wanted him; it must be your own response to Christ. That is why the apostle uses these word: ‘Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.’
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