Therefore, although I wrote to you,
I did not do it for
the sake of him
who had done the
wrong,
nor for the sake of
him who suffered wrong,
but that our care for you in the sight of God
might appear to you.
Therefore we have
been comforted in your comfort.
And we rejoiced
exceedingly more
for the joy of Titus,
because his spirit
has been refreshed by
you all.
2 Corinthians 7: 12
-- 13
In Paul's
first letter was written to manifest sincere concern for the whole Church and
not just for the person(s) that had been done or had suffered or for those who
may have benefit, for Paul was not allowing for such a crime to remain without
remark or resentment. As a leader for a
Christian congregation there lies upon that leader tremendous responsibility
and often that responsibility has to be carried out even though what must be
done may be hard to do. The elders of a
Christian church have the responsibility to ensure that all things are set in
order as when Titus was sent to Crete by Paul: "For this reason I left you in Crete, but you should set in order
for things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded
you -- --" (Titus 1: 5). An
elder must be mature in his Christianity so that they can lead the congregation
according to Scripture and not to their own worldview or theology: "Let the elders who rule well be
counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and
doctrine" (1 Timothy 5:17). We as members of the congregation are not
just to sit back tacitly approving men who are not worthy of this double honor
due to their Authentic Christian faith for we are to examine even then to see
whether or not they are teaching us the truth of God's Word: "If anyone teaches otherwise and does
not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to
the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is
the obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come in the,
strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds,
and destitute of the truth, who suppose they godliness is a means of gain. From such with draw yourself" (1
Timothy 6: 3 -- 5). Paul is not
saying that we don't address these things and at times have to speak harshly
for we are to test all things even those who desire to lead the church: "But let those also first be tested;
then let them serve as a beacon, being found blameless" (1 Timothy 3:10). While here it was speaking both those who
are elders and those who are deacons for previous to that verse he gives the
qualifications for an elder in the qualifications also must be tested according
to Scripture. Titus came to them and
returned with great joy to Paul that the Corinthian church had made those
necessary changes to return to scriptural exercise of their faith. Unfortunately, Paul also warned him that
morning applies to us today and in fact I believe you can see that his warning
is being manifested in the church today:
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart
from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to
be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and
nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is
sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
If you instruct the brethren and these things, you will be a good
minister of Jesus Christ, nourished the words of faith and of the good doctrine
which you have carefully followed. But
to reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise your self toward
godliness" (1 Timothy 4: 1 -- 7).
It is great joy for the Minister of the congregation and a great comfort
to those faithful ministers who have people whom he can confide in, and who are
willing to comply with whatever he proposes, that is for the glory of God, and
for the credit of the Gospel. Paul and
writing those words to the Corinthian church and those words quoted that he
wrote to Timothy are to be seen as mutual duties for the pastor and of the
congregation. The faster is there to
also alleviate the troubles which you will find as a pastor and he does this by
respect and obedience and do in reference by both him and you. The pastor makes suitable situations in his
care and continually cherishes his flock bringing to them satisfaction, joy and
tenderness. You see we walk hand in
hand for all our children of God come brothers and sisters in Christ even
though we all have different gifts and different responsibilities but all of
the glory of God and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be taken to the
uttermost parts of this earth. Listen
to what Paul wrote and see whether or not what he wrote applies to you: "For if any anything I have boasted to
him about you, I am not ashamed. But as
we spoke all things to you in truth, even so are boasting to Titus was found
true. And his affections are greater
for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling
you received him. Therefore I rejoice
that I have confidence in you in everything" (2 Corinthians 7: 14 -- 16). May this be true to you that you are to be
found one whereby your leaders can rejoice in you and have confidence in you in
everything.
Woe to those who draw iniquity
with cords
of vanity,
and sin as if with a cart rope;
that say,
"Let Him make
speed and hastened His work,
that we may
see it;
and let the Council of the Holy One
of Israel
draw nearer and come,
that we may know it.
Isaiah 5:18 -- 19
Praise God for good Christian leadership
No comments:
Post a Comment