Whom Does God Commend?

Paul says that those who use any standard other than that revealed to us in Scripture to evaluate themselves, no matter how great their learning or self-professed wisdom, they have no understanding. Paul insists that he only operated within the bounds God appointed for him. It is critical for us to realize that even God's apostles had definite boundary lines and just as they were careful to stay within the lines circumscribed by God, so too must we. The way the rebel against God justifies his rebellion, is by evaluating himself with man-made standards.

When the legitimacy of Paul's authority in Corinth was challenged, Paul rebutted this by saying he was the one who brought the Gospel to the city; by explaining what a true apostolic commission to a new mission field looked like; and by showing the apostolic vision for expansion of the Kingdom. He then ended off by exhorting the believers to glory in the Lord which means doing His whole will. To be commended by God we have to be found in Christ, by faith and doing, in the power of the Spirit, all that Christ has commanded.