In The Word
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21
11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. 17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? 18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?
19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
In 2 Corinthians 12:20, Paul listed some of the end results of confrontation: strife, jealousy, anger, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, and disturbances. No wonder most church leaders don’t confront bad behavior, it’s just so much easier to ignore people with issues. Paul understood these things couldn’t be ignored and wanted to help people with their issues even though it was difficult. What made Paul so different was his great love for the church of God.
It is truly incredible to see the great heart Paul had for people. While defending his character to the church in Corinth, Paul also wept for the sins of the congregation. He humiliated himself before the people by openly weeping over their sins (2 Corinthians 12:20). You see, Paul knew where the sin would eventually cause death in their lives. I heard a song that says, “Sin will stay longer than you wanted and take you places you never intended to go.” What you would believe to be an intrusion of your personal life, Paul perceives it to be as a doctor removing a disease from your body. Do you understand the love that drives that kind of caring? Don’t you understand how much easier it would be on your leader to ignore your problems? A great leader with a heart after God can’t leave you there; love drives him to care. Does your leader push you to greater heights and confront bad behavior, or just ignore your walk with Christ? Great leaders love the church and sometimes that means getting a little personal. Can you handle that? Don’t run from godly leaders, but run to them.