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MINISTERING WITH MEEKNESS
MONDAY, MARCH 2
2 Corinthians 10:1-2
2 Timothy 2:24-26
 
“… by the meekness and
gentleness of Christ.”
 
MINISTERING WITH MEEKNESS
 
While many in the Corinthian church received Paul’s severe letter favourably, there was a hardened and rebellious faction that continued to malign Paul’s character. They accused Paul of being meek and gentle only when he was in the presence of the Corinthian Christians, while he was brave only when he was away, hiding behind his letters.
 
Such defamatory statements hold no water at all when one considers the example of Christ. While Christ was ministering on earth, He taught the people with much meekness and gentleness (cf. Matt 11:29; 21:5). It is with this in mind that Paul exhorted pastors in 2 Timothy 2:24-26: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” Paul was just following the example of his Saviour Christ Jesus.
 
Ironically, it was the adversaries of Paul who were operating contrary to the pattern of Christ. By attacking the Apostle Paul with such libellous remarks, they revealed their hearts to be full of malice and malevolence. There was no meekness and gentleness at all in their speech and actions.
 
In fact, those who were treated firmly and austerely by Jesus were the religious teachers of the day who ought to have known the Scriptures better. Instead of teaching men to follow God’s Word, they taught them to transgress the commandment of God by their tradition (Matt 15:3). Thus, Jesus pronounced woe upon the scribes and Pharisees seven times in Matthew 23:13-29. However, for those who humbly sought Christ like Nicodemus, they were patiently led by Him to the truth.
 
How do you minister to others? Are you like Paul or his opponents?
 
THOUGHT: Humility is an essential ingredient in serving the Lord.
PRAYER: Father, make me meek like my Saviour Jesus Christ.

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