In writing to the Corinthians the apostle Paul says that he was " minded to come unto them, that they might have a second benefit" (2 Cor. 1:15). God had used his first visit to their conversion, and he was confident that a second visit would be for further blessing.
But at the time of writing, his purpose had not been realized; the second visit had not been paid,"' and he raised the question:"When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness ? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay?" That is to say, when he failed to come to them this second time as he had said, he felt that his conduct needed an explanation, otherwise it might appear that Christians were at liberty to say they would do certain things, then fail to do them. He thinks that would be "using lightness;" it would be allowing the natural mind to have its say in divine matters-a way of saying "yes, yes, and no, no," as to the same thing.
Many to-day might think it an exaggeration to attach so much importance to the matter of carrying out one's purpose, but the apostle shows that the gospel is helped or dishonored in just such matters, and affirms that a changeable purpose was abhorrent to him, and that his failure to visit Corinth a second time needed satisfactory explanation, which he at once proceeded to give.
USING LIGHTNESS
Is there a practical lesson for us in the apostle's protest? Is there danger of our "using lightness" in the things of God ? There is. One may show great readiness with promises to do this or that, or go somewhere with the gospel, but neglect to carry out the promises. For example, brothers agree to meet at a given place for the proclamation of the gospel in the open air, but at the appointed time some fail to appear. – Sisters agree to help in this or that service, but fail to come and take their part, and for failures to keep promises make but trivial excuses. Does not such conduct reveal "lightness," a disposition to "purpose according to the flesh," a readiness to use words which in the end mean "yes and no."
Another form of "lightness" is a tendency to speak in exaggerated terms of one's interest in the Lord's things, while the life proves the expressions were those of sentimentality rather than honest concern; for it needed only a snow- or rain-fall, or even a visit from an acquaintance, to keep the exuberant person away from the meeting.
Again:It is understood that the hour of assembling on the Lord's day morning is, say n o'clock. The matter is well-known and agreed upon; but some arrive at 11.10, others at 11.15, and some even at 11.30. Is it not using "lightness" in matters concerning the Lord and His people ? It should not be forgotten, of course, that some have not control of their hours or circumstances, and the Lord's sympathy, and ours, may well go with such. We are liable to an error or oversight too, but such will be all the more conspicuous because of its rarity, and is not likely to be soon repeated. There are valid excuses for seeming disorder, and the Lord's interests will not be made to suffer by them in such a case.
MANIFESTING CHRIST
But the apostle further shows that "lightness" betrays a lack of the knowledge of the Son of God, and is a practical denial of the power of the gospel. For having cleared himself in the matter, saying, " But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay," he proceeds to say:"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in Him was yea. For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him, Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (vers. 19, 20). Of the law it might be said that it was proclaiming "yes and no." It said " yes," if you will live according to and obey my commands; but it also said "no,"if you disobey, you shall be accursed.
But all the promises of God in Him (in Christ) are yea. In Him they find unconditional and gracious expression. All the blessing which God desired to confer upon man is affirmed and presented to us in Christ. If we look to Him, count on Him, we shall always find that God is saying "yes" to us. Moreover " all the promises of God in Him are Amen." They find their fulfilment in Him. The blessing of God is not " given away " to us as something apart from Christ. On the contrary, He is the blessing, and God is glorified in Him.
Now, how does the apostle use this as to the question raised ? What has the character of the gospel preached by Paul to do with the matter of his purpose to visit Corinth a second time ? Simply this:If his preaching was not "yes and no," his conduct would not be "yes and no." His preaching was "the Son of God, Jesus Christ," and He was "not yea and nay," therefore his conduct also was "yea." He was not the man to preach one thing and act another. If he preached Christ, he manifested Christ. Therefore the Corinthians were to understand that he would fear to "use lightness " by an act which would be a denial of the power and grace of that gospel which he preached. Oh, what a cleaving to the Lord with purpose of heart is revealed in his noble protest!
May we profit by it, and be an expression of Christ that will impart tone to our meetings, and go far to spread the savor of His name among those who know Him not. R. J. Reid