WEEK 2 — DAY 6
Morning Nourishment
2
Cor. 10:13-14 "But we will not boast beyond our measure but according
to the measure of the rule which the God of measure has apportioned to
us, to reach even as far as you. For we are not extending ourselves
beyond our bounds, as if we did not reach you, for we were the first to
come even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ."
[In 2 Corinthians 10:13] the apostle is bold, but he is not bold
without limit. This shows that he is under the restriction of the Lord.
His boasting is according to the measure of the rule which the God of
measure, the ruling God, has apportioned to him. Paul's ministry to the
Gentile world, including Corinth, was according to the measure of God
(Eph. 3:1-2, 8; Gal. 2:8).
We should never boast without measure. In giving a testimony of what we
have learned of the Lord, we should have a limit, a measure. The word
measure in 2 Corinthians 12:13 indicates being ruled by God. God has
allotted us just so much for our work and experience. Furthermore, He has
given us just so much to enjoy. Therefore, when we give a testimony
about our work, experience, or enjoyment of the Lord, we must testify
within measure, that is, within a certain limit. (Life-study of2
Corinthians,p. 447)
Today's Reading
From 2 Corinthians 10:13, 14, and 15 we see that although we expect the
Lord's work to spread, we must learn how to be under God's restriction.
Do not expect
a spread
that is without measure. That kind of spread would certainly not be
within the limit of a walk according to Spirit. From experience we can
testify that if we spread the work according to the Spirit, there will
always be a certain limit.Inwardly we shall have the consciousness that
the Lord intends to spread the work only to a certain extent.
Furthermore, outwardly, in the environment, the Lord
may cause matters to restrict the spread of the work. Therefore,
inwardly we do not have the peace to spread the work beyond a certain
point, and outwardly the environment does not allow us to go beyond a
particular boundary line.
The Lord is especially interested in restricting the young people. If
the young ones do not have a heart to serve the Lord, He will stir them
up to serve Him.But once they have been stirred up, He will limit them.
Human nature does not like this kind of limitation....God's way,
however, is first to speed us up and then to slow us down, first to
raise us up and then to lower us down....Many young people cannot
tolerate God's ups and downs. After a few of these ups and downs, they
want to quit....God does not want us to be always up or to be always
down. Even in nature the alternating of day and night testifies of this.
Some young people have been brought down by their married life. Before a
particular brother was married, he may have been like an eagle soaring
in the air.He could easily talk about the wonderful, glorious church
life. But not long after his wedding, it seems that the church life is
no longer glorious. God is using his marriage to calm down such an
excited brother. In some cases, such a brother may stay down for a long
period of time after his marriage. But eventually he is up
again,although not in the same excited way as before. This is a sign of
improvement.
We need
to know our limitation, our jurisdiction, and not go beyond it into
others' territory. Like Paul, we should move and act according to our
rule, that is, according to how much God has measured to us.
I encourage the young people especially to study this portion of the
Word and learn from it how to conduct themselves in the church service
and how to move in the Lord's recovery. Young people, you must know your
rule, your limit...This restriction, this limitation, is a very
practical dealing with our flesh. Our natural man wants to be without
limitation. However, God knows our problem. Therefore, He sets up
boundaries and restrictions so that we may stay within the measure He
has apportioned to us. (Life-study of 2 Corinthians, pp. 448-450,
452-453)
Further Reading: Life-study of 2 Corinthians, msg. 51
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