Summer Fruit Devotion: Peace Day 3

Weapon of Righteousness

“We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Patience is serious business. Paul lists it here among the “weapons of righteousness” that gave the apostles the strength to endure all the affliction and hardships they went through. Paul and the other apostles were steamrolled by life but they didn’t use it as an excuse to complain, or lash out, or give up. They suffered and ministered in a way that brought so much glory to God. The world treated the apostles as impostors, unknown, dying, punished, sorrowful, poor, and having nothing. The truth is they were true to the gospel, well known by God, alive in the Spirit, rejoicing in Christ, using money to help others, knowing their true reward is in heaven patiently waiting for them, just as they walked patiently through every earthly discomfort.

Journal time. What are the eight “weapons of righteousness” Paul lists in this passage? How many of them are the same as the “fruit of the Spirit?”

Pray with me today. Heavenly Father, we don’t always understand why there are so many hardships for those who serve you and seek to advance your kingdom. We do know and understand that your Holy Spirit will give us the patience and power to endure them all. Help us to believe this and walk it our lives. Lord, our reputations don’t matter, let the world slander us if it means more glory to you. Thank you that because of Christ we already possess everything. In the righteous and abundant name of Jesus we pray, Amen.