The God of All Comfort, Part 4
2 Corinthians 1v12
28th February 2025
In 2 Corinthians 1v3-11, Paul taught us about "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" and described his and his colleague's experiences in their trials in Ephesus. He now instructs us in how to respond to difficult times by telling us how they behaved during that very difficult and frightening period:
2 Corinthians 1v12a
Now this is our boast: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in
the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity
that are from God.
Paul and his colleagues set us an example of both behaviour and wisdom.
Their behaviour in their afflictions was beyond reproach. They strove to behave in a holy way, the way Jesus would act. They were sincere. They always acted from pure motives, not mixed motives. They never deceived anybody. They never cheated anybody. They meant what they said, and they said what they meant. They kept their consciences clear.
Many, or perhaps all, of us find it more difficult to live godly lives when things get tough. We can revert to the thought patterns and the behaviours we had when we were still lost in our sins, when we lived without faith, without hope, without the Bible and the Holy Spirit. Paul and his companions proved that we don't have to do this. We can remain Christlike in all circumstances. This takes faith and a certain maturity but they did it, which means you and I can do it.
Whatever we're going through, may we keep our integrity. 1 Peter 2v9 says we are "a holy nation". May we live holy lives, at all times.
Their wisdom was undiminished by their suffering. Paul says of his conduct, and his team's conduct:
2 Corinthians 1v12b
We have done so relying not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's
grace.
In trials, it's very tempting to go back to living according to worldly wisdom, but it really helps us if we continue to act in accordance with Biblical wisdom. The Bible teaches us the best way to live, in happy times and in painful times. Let us never think things through for ourselves without leaning on the Bible and the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 3v5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
How many lives, how many marriages, how many careers, how many ministries, how many churches and charities, have been ruined by Christians who strayed from the path of righteousness because they wanted money, or success, or approval, or position, or comfort? Or because they thought life was lonely enough, painful enough, or insecure enough, that a little sin made some sort of sense? By the amazing grace of God, some of us find a way back but, even if we do, how much damage has been done? How much opportunity has been lost? How many people have been hurt? What effect have we had on the church's reputation? How many evangelistic opportunities have been wasted?
The God of all comfort, who comes alongside us by His Holy Spirit, helps us to live godly lives in all circumstances, for His glory and our benefit. We can always look for His presence, His wisdom, His strength, His leading and, when necessary, His forgiveness. As the Psalmist said:
Psalm 23v4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
While imprisoned on a later occasion, Paul wrote:
Philippians 4v11b-13
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have
learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed
or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
May God grant us the faith to be able to say the same. May we experience the compassion of the God of all comfort, especially at those times when we most need to sense His presence with us. God is good, and God is faithful.