Right in the sight of God

Wesley Wright

Lighthouse Bible Church

Sunday, October 18, 2026

 

2 Corinthians 12:14-19

Title: Right in the sight of God

 

Notice that Paul reiterates this point of not being a burden to the folks at Corinth (2CO 12:14). He’s willing, again, to keep up the same arrangement they’d become used to.

 

Notice that Paul (2CO 12:14-15) ties love for the brethren directly to service. We should too, but keep in mind that the world doesn’t.

MAT 23:1-12

 

Jesus Christ, the ultimate Servant, made it clear that he came ultimately to serve:

MAR 10:35-45

 

Jesus Christ served the disciples as an example for them, and by extension for us. He loved them: LUK 22:24-30

 

Jesus Christ also understood that he would be integral to the (eternal) lives of His sheep. He would serve them in a great deal of ways: JOH 10:10-18

 

Paul uses sarcasm again using the word “deceit” (dolos) in

2CO 12:16-17.

In reality, by not making himself a burden to the people he wasn’t being deceitful at all - he was simply atypical in his approach.

 

Paul cites Titus

(2CO 12:17-18) as an example of someone upstanding that he sent to Corinth. His point is, if you appreciate what Titus did for you, do the same with me (Paul).

 

Paul cared deeply for his readers. He cared deeply for Titus, too. Remember that he called him his son and spoke well of him:

2CO 8:16-23, TIT 1:1-4

 

All that Paul and the other apostles did, they did in the sight of God (2 Corinthians 12:19). Paul has the same spirit of those before him who understood who they would ultimately answer to — not critics, but God.

 

We will answer, ultimately, to God. Recall what the ultimate Servant, our Lord Jesus Christ, made clear via this parable: MAT 25:14-23

 

We will answer, ultimately, to God. Peter and the other apostles understood that their allegiance to God superseded all else: ACT 5:27-32

 

Remember that God the Father sees all. God sees what we do and our hearts, meaning in this context our motives and motivations: PSA 139:23-24, PRO 15:11

 

John lets us know that Jesus Christ knows the heart:

JOH 2:18-25

 

Put simply, He is divine. He knew thoughts too: MAT 9:1-8

 

Since we love one another, we must serve one another. Paul followed Christ, and we all should be able to follow His example. He died for us that we might live for him, and that means service to the brethren.

 

What we do here in the earth, we do in the sight of God and we’ll answer to Him for it. Don’t fret about those who insinuate that you aren’t doing what you should. Focus on Him and what works He has prepared for us to do.

 

Next week, we’ll discuss the ways Paul would use his apostolic authority and why he would see fit to do so. His concern was that his readers would embarrass him, but he was prepared to set things in order if the need arose.