| 2 Corinthian 7:12-16 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. I am glad I can have complete confidence in you. From this passage, we can see that Paul had a father's heart. There should be a relationship of love of obedience between a shepherd and his flock. As a shepherd, we need to love the flock that God entrusted us. Maybe you are not a pastor in the church, but you might be a cell group coworker, and God has entrusted you with the responsibility to nurture a cell group. You might be the head of your household, and God has entrusted you with all the family members. No matter how, we need to love our flock. How do we love others? Paul always encouraged his brothers and sisters, seeing how great they are and complimenting them. Even though he sounded harsh when he wrote the 1 Corinthians, he didn't mean to rebuke anyone, but it was to express his love and concern for the Corinthian church. I also learned about encouraging others from Paul, because everyone needs to be encouraged. Parents always pay attention to building their children's confidence, but we sometimes neglect to encourage adults. As pastors, we must encourage others, just like how shepherds nurture the little sheep. On the other hand, as a flock we always need to obey the shepherd, because God has given authority to the shepherds. When we obey the shepherds, we'll bring them enormous comfort and joy. In this passage, Corinthian church accepted Paul's encouragement, and also hosted Titus according to Paul's instructions, thus brought Paul tremendous joy. You might be worried that sometimes pastors can be wrong, but as long as it's not a matter of truth, but rather different ways of doing things, we should still obey the pastors. Whether we are a shepherd or member of the flock, when we proactively offer ourselves, we will see the coming of God's revival. Pray with Pastor Tong Liu 
Lord, I thank you because you are our great shepherd. We ask that you prompt the brothers and sisters among us who are shepherds to encourage others, and we ask that you help the brothers and sisters who are followers to obey with joy, so that your will may be done. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! |
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