Most Christians want to know God’s will so they can do it. I see this intention in a positive light. Believers take joy in pleasing the Lord, so knowing what He desires is crucial.
I can also take this wish in a negative way. It’s not that seeking the Lord’s direction is a waste of time. Not at all! But some Christians will use the will of God as an excuse to avoid responsibility. They don’t take the time to explore their own interests. They’re afraid the Lord will squash any desire they have. So they drop the subject and pursue “the will of God” instead. It sounds good, but it can cover up some troubled thinking.
The apostle Paul didn’t have this problem. He obeyed Jesus who called Him to preach the gospel. But in that context, he paid attention to his own concerns, too.
“Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.” – 2 Corinthians 2:12-13
Troas is the name of a city and a region on the western edge of the mainland of contemporary Turkey. Since Paul was there to preach the gospel, he was obeying Christ’s call on his life. Preach the gospel!
The language in verse 12 is a bit odd. We picture a door opening up to allow us to enter. But Paul wrote it in reverse order. He was in Troas and then he determined that God had opened a door for him. Doesn’t the door have to open before you go in?
But the phrase, “opened a door,” means something other than mere entry. It refers to success. In ministry terms, God opening a door means people are coming to Christ. Jesus is saving souls!
This is what preachers pray for; it’s why they labor. They want to see men and women give their lives to Jesus Christ and follow Him. And God was honoring Paul’s efforts.
But he wasn’t happy. Not about the results–they were fine! But he’d expected to meet up with a fellow apostle named Titus who turned out not to be there. Titus would have had news about the situation of the Corinthian church, so Paul would have to make a decision. He could keep evangelizing Troas, or he could focus on Corinth. He chose the latter.
And he left. He crossed the Aegean Sea and traveled to Macedonia. Still a distance from Corinth, but closer than Troas.
Did Paul sin? Did he fail God by disobeying His will? After all, God Himself had made the apostle’s ministry in Troas fruitful. How could Paul justify his decision to leave?
He doesn’t rationalize and explain his judgment to the Corinthians. Instead, he mentions it as part of a larger story of his concern for them.
And nowhere in this letter does Paul report the Lord’s displeasure. If Jesus is angry with him, he fails to confess to the Corinthians.
If Paul didn’t sin, if he had the freedom to change his mind, that tells us something about knowing and doing the will of God. It looks like we have more freedom in Christ than we realize! God can work with us when we have competing demands or conflicting interests. We can’t do everything at once; we’re not God! So He works within our limitations and honors our decisions.
Provided we don’t lose sight of the big picture.
Paul didn’t.
He remained committed to the gospel, whatever form his ministry took.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere. 15For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?” – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
Ministry is difficult and amazing. We can feel bound and victorious at the same time. But as long as we stick with it, God uses us in magnificent ways. People learn about Jesus through us. Their reactions aren’t our responsibility. Some will rejoice at the gospel, while others will hate it. But when we live a life committed to Christ, people will notice and respond.
Do we have what it takes? Serving Jesus is challenging! Do we measure up?
“Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” – 2 Corinthians 2:17
Paul knew the God who called him oversaw his ministry. Whoever else we serve, we always serve the Lord! So like the apostle, we can depend on Him for our rewards. We don’t have to fleece people; Jesus will take care of us.
When that’s our attitude, we’re up to the job.
And if we change direction at times, that’s okay. God still works with us.
Because He knows our heart is for His Son.
And that’s God’s ultimate will.
Paul’s, too.
And ours?
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