I am enough of a mechanic to know the benefit of good tools. It is not seldom that I start a job and find that I just don’t have the right tool to complete it. That is when we “shade-tree” mechanics begin to rummage around and attempt to make do with what we have. The result is not often pretty! Rounded corners on bolts and nuts, injured and busted knuckles and then finally we give up and get the right tools. Incidentally the right tools are often very expensive. I see a strong parallel to this in the work of God’s people.
In the work of God it seems we often substitute tooling that is less costly, especially in terms of commitment. Notice these words of the apostle Paul on the subject of Christian “tooling”.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
In the context of this chapter Paul clearly states that the tools to be used in Christian warfare are not common physical or material tools. It seems to me that as this text is compared to the classic Scripture on Christian warfare found in Ephesians that the true tools are comprised of things like uncompromised truth, righteous living, clear presentations of the gospel, an unrelenting faith and clear understanding and appreciation for all that God has done for us. This is just a portion of the things mentioned.
Second Corinthians is all about authentic Christian ministry. It is a message that is greatly needed today.
