Have you ever felt exasperated with those who seem impervious to the good counsel of Scripture? Did you ever feel like giving up hope that they would turn around, even though you knew they were continuing on the wrong track?

Why did the Apostle Paul put up with the believers at Corinth who were giving him such a hard time? Why didnt he just move on to another city, saying, I dont have to put up with this anymore! Im out of here!

Why did he bother to defend his actions when so many had given credence to the damaging accusations made against him by the false teachers who had wormed their way into the congregation?

The Apostle Paul took his role as an under shepherd of The Great Shepherd of the Sheep very seriously. He was not unaware of the devils schemes to drive a wedge of distrust between believers and the authority of true gospel ministers (2 Cor 2:11). He knew what was at stake if he didnt continue to speak the truth. What motivated him to persevere?

What we do in life matters. All will be weighed accurately on the day of reckoning (2 Corinthians 5:10). What has been truly birthed by the Spirit of God will be manifested as having enduring value. What may have appeared to be good works in our lives may be proved as being illusory if they were not motivated by a genuine desire to bring glory to God and true benefit to others.