Truth #140 - We can be bold when Christ is in us - 1 Corinthians 9-10

2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

In this second letter to the church at Corinth, Paul is defending his ministry.  He has been accused of being "weak in the flesh" even though he is "strong in letter."   It seems there were those in the early church who were opposing Paul's ministry (for selfish gains).   Their criticism was that Paul could write powerful letters, but that if he came to them, he would be "weak in the flesh" (is physical presence apparently was not threatening ... perhaps he was small of stature).  This challenge to Paul and his ministry ignited in Paul the necessity to not just defend his ministry, but himself, as well.  However, his defense does not take on a personal tone.  Paul instead focuses entirely on the power of Christ, who was living in him.  Paul doesn't focus on his resume to defend himself.  He knows that without Christ he is nothing.   Instead, Paul focuses on the power of Christ living in him.  That power is "divine."  Paul's ministry has power, but not because he has a large NFL Football player stature. Paul's speech is bold, but not because he is a Wall Street mogul who controls the stock market.   Paul's power is because Christ lives in him and chooses to use him.   Paul has the knowledge of God and the power of Christ.   He is ready to destroy any argument that goes against that knowledge of God and that denies the power and sufficiency of Christ.   The truth is, we are all powerful when we have Christ in us.  We all can be bold when we speak for Christ.   When we have the truth of the knowledge of God's Word, we have power!!