2 Corinthians 10:7

2 Corinthians 10:7 says, Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.  Paul asked those Christians at Corinth a question then gave a response of his own.  The question was did they just look at the outward appearance to determine one's faith in God.  There have been many people through the years that have outwardly appeared to be great men of God who really were only putting on a show.  Paul then said that even if those who outwardly showed themselves to be Christians could not judge others by the same outward actions.  Paul said that even if they didn't look nor act the same way that those with him and he himself did that they still belonged to Christ if they were sincere in their faith.  We cannot judge other Christians by their outward way of worshipping, and neither should they judge us.  Verse eight adds, For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:  Paul said that the Lord had given him authority for their edification and not for their destruction.  We are not called to destroy those Christians that do not worship as we do, but to edify them instead.  Likewise, they are called to edify us.  We cannot judge other Christians based on outward signs but must judge them based on their relationship to Christ.  Verse nine continues, That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.  Paul said that even though he had been given authority by Christ to edify and correct those that had come to follow Christ that he did not want them terrified of him.  He only wrote to make them aware of problems that needed correcting and to edify them.  Verse ten states, For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.  Paul said people thought more of his letters than they did of his physical appearance and speech.  People thought his letters were full of good advice and powerful, but that his actual speaking ability was not good at all.  Sometimes we just have to do what God empowers us to do best.  Verse eleven Paul adds, Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.  Paul said that what he wrote when he was absent from the Corinthians was exactly what he would say if he were present with them.  We need to make sure that our actions are consistent with our words of witness about God, whether written or spoken.  Verse twelve continues, For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.  Paul said that he did not measure himself by others.  He measured himself by his faith in God.  Our standard will never be how we compare to anyone else but will always be how we compare to Christ through faith.  Paul said that to compare ourselves to others as a standard of faith was not wise.  Verse thirteen concludes, But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even also in deed when we are present.  Paul said that he would not boast of the things he had done, but only of what God had done through Him.  There is nothing that we can do through our own power to spread the gospel, but all must be done through relying on God through faith.  Then, the Holy Spirit will enable us, not that we may be glorified, but that God will.