Tag: upbuilding
Building up Christ’s followers
Scripture reading for August 13: 2 Corinthians 12
“Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish–that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.” 2 Corinthians 12:19-21
Pastoral ministry, like prophetic ministry, is for the edification and exhortation of the church. The goal is to see Christ’s body strengthened through a life of holiness, worship, and obedient witness. Pastoral ministry involves prayer and correction of those in willful sin. Paul understood his calling as an apostle and pastor to see the church built up and walking in love. He spoke to them plainly and lovingly, calling them ‘beloved.’ He was mourning over them in prayer even as he wrote this letter.
He was concerned that there were still members of the church family that had at an earlier time confessed their sins and found grace but were still living in known sin. When people continue to practice sexual immorality and sensuality, they fail to understand Christ’s work on their behalf and the reality of their new life in Christ as a new creation through the indwelling Holy Spirit. He wrote the letter so that these might repent in advance of his visit to them. He understood that confrontation personally would be painful, especially if done without warning. God always prepares his people by warning them in advance by prophetic voices and through His Holy Spirit. This was Paul’s approach in loving but firm confrontation of persistent sin.
Have you ever had a friend or someone in church leadership confront you about something you knew you were doing sinfully? When you read God’s Word and it details how God feels about a sin you know your are indulging in, how do you receive it? Is there a sin you will now repent of?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your loving correction through the Holy Spirit in me and through those in spiritual leadership. May Your Spirit and Word always guide me in loving correction of those in the church family. If I am blind to a besetting sin, bring to light my need of repentance by any means. Amen.
Walking in love not judgment
Scripture reading for July 2: Romans 14
“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” Romans 14:13-19
Paul was addressing those in the church that liked religious rules and traditions. Some believers in Jesus had come out of Judaism and still observed dietary laws. They judged Gentiles who were believers and ate anything. Others kept certain feast days in honor of God and judged those who did not. These outward traditions really did not affect their ability to follow Jesus in themselves. The bigger problem was the strife that this generated within Christ’s Body. Paul taught them not to pass judgment on one another, but to trust that God would straighten it all out on Judgment Day.
The key verse is, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Life in the kingdom doesn’t consist of rules or outward observances but rather is a matter of our heart. The King, Jesus, has given us His righteousness and now we all enjoy by grace a right standing in God’s family. Through the blood of Jesus, we have peace with God and are to have peace with our fellow believer. The kingdom is marked by the joy of the redeemed who have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit and all His gifts and fruit. Because we are all on level ground at the foot of Jesus’ cross, we pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding of each other.
Have you ever experienced a judgmental attitude from someone in the church concerning your diet, make-up, or celebration of holidays honoring Christ? How did you respond towards that person? In light of Jesus’ instructions through Paul, how can you keep peace and mutually build up others?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit and Christ’s righteousness. Through the Spirit, remind me daily how to walk in love with other believers that may not live in complete freedom in manner of foods or drinks or outward appearance. Use me to keep peace and build up others. Amen.