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2 Corinthians 6:4-12
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.
New International Version (NIV)
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Warren Wiersbe told about a pastor who stood up and spoke up on an important issue in his community. His opponents chided him saying, “Why don’t you just take care of your sheep?” He responded, “Because I’m fighting the wolves.”
I suppose every pastor has felt that at some point. We stand ready to defend the flock against spiritual forces of evil. Still, most pastors I know have been surprised that not only wolves, but sheep also sometimes have teeth. Attacks from within the body are particularly difficult. On the other side, we have known sheep who experienced spiritual abuse from pastors who were wolves dressed up like sheep. Relationships in the church can be difficult. Church hurt goes deep and leaves scars. God heals us by his Spirit.
Paul found himself in the odd posture of defending himself, commending himself to his critics in Corinth. His lengthy stay there had apparently not given him enough credibility to be trusted. We can almost hear his anguish as he defends himself. With transparency he acknowledges his troubles again. We knew from Acts and his other letters about the physical suffering he endured as a servant of God. But he reveals the paper-cuts in his soul when he writes, “Genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known yet regarded as unknown.” As he opens his heart wide, he invites the Corinthians to do the same. Love is a two-way street. He will love the believers in Corinth no matter what. He asks them to do the same.
I am grateful in these difficult days of the Coronavirus to get to love the sheep God has entrusted to us. Can you believe I still get to preach every Sunday? As friends have struggled with difficult relationships, I have been so grateful in the churches I have served to not only love but be loved well by the people. We can admire the price Paul paid to be a shepherd in his day. His story is much more painful than mine. When Paul preached the gospel there were riots. We tend to serve cookies and coffee at our gatherings. I am so grateful.
This season of being scattered to our own homes as a church reminds me that being a pastor involves more than being a preacher. I love to teach the Bible. I love caring for the souls of people just as much. The virus has forced physical distance, but it need not separate our hearts. We open our hearts wide with deep trust that God who watches over us will give us the grace to love each other well.
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Pray with me:
Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us, for we need your help to find our way. Gentle Shepherd, come and feed us, for we need your strength from day to day. There’s no other we can turn to who can help us face another day. Keep us safe in your love today. Help us to open our hearts wide to each other. Keep us safe, Father. And help us to keep each other safe. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 5:33-35
Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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