"Correcting with gentleness"

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

(Paul’s second letter to Timothy ESV)

photo  ©2010  Rachel Titiriga, Flickr

What wonderful words of wisdom of wisdom Paul shares with Timothy in this passage. Paul wants Timothy to know how to best way deal with those that oppose his teaching. Paul says that the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome. Oh if we would take that to heart when engaged in conversation with others about the word of God.

All too often we find ourselves being quarrelsome rather than gentle. I know from personal experience, gentle teaching works far better in most cases than confrontation does. Patience and gentleness with one’s opponent certainly takes effort sometimes, but it is worth the effort. Correction need not be harsh to illicit a response from someone. Harshness drives people away, it does not bring them around to your view on a matter.

When someone is steeped in a false teaching it will take time to help them see God’s perspective. We must remember that it is our goal to teach them God’s ways. Not “our” ways. We have to bare in mind when teaching someone that we are trying to impart God’s word to them and how we do it will have a lasting effect on them. “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Psalm 16 ESV Teaching is feeding, force feeding is not the best way to give someone the spiritual food they need. Gentle persuasion will get them to open up to all that God has for them.

So, when we engage an opponent let’s do it with gentleness and kindness. We have the example of Jesus to follow, He showed us the best way to teach, let’s follow in His steps.

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Psalm 15 ESV

© 2013 Leo J. Woodman

"There is Freedom"

Now the Lord  is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

The Apostle Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians ESV

There is freedom in Christ, because we have the Spirit of the Lord. When we were baptized into Christ we received the gift of the Holy Spirit marking us as belonging to God, setting us free from sin. Free to walk in newness of life, as stated in Paul’s letter to the Romans. In Christ we are free!

We are free from all that, that had bound us in the past. Jesus has set us free through His sacrifice. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (The Gospel according to John ESV)  What are we to do with the freedom we now enjoy? The Apostle Paul gives us the answer; “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia ESV)

Our freedom in Christ calls us to service. Service done in love for one another. So we are to have a servants heart. We are to want what is best for one another. We are to do what is best for one another. As Paul says in his letter to the church at Philippi; “Do all things without grumbling or disputing”, we need to serve happily.

So today, let’s exercise our freedom in Christ and serve. Let’s serve everyone we come in contact with today and let’s serve happily, with love. Let’s not quench the Spirit.

© 2013 Leo J. Woodman