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April 29, 2020

2 Corinthians 10:1-4
By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
New International Version (NIV)

Remember the Kenny Rogers’ song, “The Coward of the County.” He told of a man who was considered a weakling because he was kind. Sometimes we mistake meekness for weakness. It’s easy to do. So gentle people are perceived as weak. This devolves into conversations about, “Well sometimes you just have to be really mean to make your point.” Come one up on your enemy before they come one up on you.

Paul saw this differently. He thought that we all should live the way that Jesus did. With the humility and gentleness of Christ, he appealed to the Corinthians to live as Christ lived. Word came to Paul that his opponents thought he was Paul the “Timid.” They said, “He talks a big game from far away, but he is not so formidable in person.” Paul pleaded with them not to push him to be Paul the “Bold.”

Christians do not use the world’s weapons of war. We do not believe that the meanest people inevitably get their way. There is strength in self-control. In kindness, we may call for people to be obedient to Christ. But this does not make us weak. Paul says the power of Christ will enable us to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

We do not fight the way others do, because we do not see people as our enemies. Ultimately our battle is not against flesh and blood. We are not trying to overcome some human enemy. Instead, by the power of Christ we choose to live in submission to him, knowing that God’s power is perfected in our weakness. You have the strength in Christ to do what you are supposed to do. This means we do not have to act in anger and show unkindness to other. As Proverbs 15:1 puts it, “A gentle answer turns away wrath. But a harsh word stirs up anger.” Let’s try kindness today when we disagree with others. It really works. After all it was the kindness of Christ, not his wrath that brought us into relationship with God.

Pray with me:

Father, give us wisdom as we encounter anger and unkindness today. Do not let wrath rule our relationships. Help us to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger along with every form of malice. Help us to be kind and compassionate with one another, forgiving each other just as you have forgiven us, in Christ we pray. Amen.

Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:

Matthew 5:36-37

And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

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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Houston, TX | 77024 US

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