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#30.
Helpers together (II Cor. 1. 8-11).
pp. 27, 28
Never was there more need than at the present time to remember that among the
blessings of redemption is a "sound mind". Both among the orthodox and unorthodox we
meet the extremist. In II Cor. 1: 8-11 the apostle Paul mingles together the human and
the divine in such a way that while the arm of flesh is absolutely set aside, the weaker
saint is nevertheless gathered into a most glorious fellowship with "God that raiseth the
dead". Let us note the transition:--
1. The utter end of human strength.
"We were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we
despaired even of life" (verse 8).
2. The utter failure was for a divine purpose.
"But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust
in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead" (verse 9).
3. No deliverance can be expected from any source other than God, either in the present
or the future.
"Who delivered us from so great a death (past) and doth deliver
(present); in whom we trust that He will yet deliver (future) us" (verse 10).
4. The unexpected call into fellowship of those who, in themselves, are for ever set aside
as strengthless.
"Ye also helping together by prayer for us" (verse 11).
What a light this throws on the condescending grace of God! What a sermon it
preaches upon the nature of prayer! What a stress it throws upon the place of fellowship!
"Ye also helping together."
Since the creation of man, and the divine statement: "It is not good . . . . . I will make
him an help meet for him" (Gen. 2: 18), this element of fellowship has remained.
The Psalmist seems to have had some knowledge of the truth of II Cor. 1: for he says
in Psalm 118: 7: "The Lord taketh my part with them that help me", and Psalm 54: 4
expresses much the same thought: "Behold, God is my helper: the Lord is with them that
uphold my soul."
"With them that help me." "With them that uphold my soul." "Ye also helping
together." While the flesh can have no place, is it not a comfort to the weakest believer
to realize the reality of the words: "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His
Son Jesus Christ" (I John 1: 3)?