Without Understanding

I like What Paul is saying here: 2 Corinthians 10:7-12 - "Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we. For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.’ Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” Paul was said to be short, bald, with crooked legs, a hooked nose and eyebrows that met in the middle (uni-brow). He was also described as having a weak bodily appearance and soft spoken. However, he makes it clear that he was confident in what Christ Jesus did in his life and boasted in the authority Christ gave him to build up the church. He wrote strong convicting letters to individuals and churches and when he was there in person, he was no less bold and confident. Historians describe him as meek and humble, but I bet when he preached, he did hold anything back. His homely looks and small stature did not override the importance of the message Christ gave him. No foe could convince him to soften the speech, water-down the message or run from the challenges. If you are confident that you are Christ's, it is okay to boast a little too much of the authority you have in Christ. It's okay to not be ashamed. Measure your self by Christ's example, not by one another. Be as bold in person as you would if you were absent and writing a letter so that you are not "without understanding". Words that definitely challenge me.