It’s a “will worship” morning (Colossians 2:23). I thought about how God subjected the creature to vanity unwillingly, but in hope (Romans 8:20). Although the conditions are very different, and although it is rare, sometimes I come to my devotions unwillingly, but in hope. It occurred to me that hope will provide a reason to overcome unwillingness.

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in 2 Corinthians 2. The Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind in verse 2:

2 Corinthians 2:2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

Paul mentioned a letter he had sent to the Corinthians that corrected many of their errors (2 Corinthians 2:1-4). We have it in our Bible; it’s called 1 Corinthians. He had been concerned about how they would receive his reproofs, rebukes, and exhortations (2 Timothy 4:2). Paul rejoiced that the church received his letter in the spirit intended (2 Corinthians 7:8-14).

Though there are many things addressed by the Spirit through Paul to the Corinthians, one matter seems to have been foremost in the mind of the Spirit: the general acceptance of fornication, and the especially offensive laxness in their attitude toward a brother who was fornicating with his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5:1-6). This particular sin, Paul’s severe rebuke against it, and the Corinthians’ appropriate response to Paul’s rebuke, are referenced repeatedly in Paul’s follow-up letter: It appears in the context of our text, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, it appears again in Paul’s commendation of their response; and he includeda special instruction to forgive and restore the repentant sinner (2 Corinthians 2:8-11 and 7:11).

Along the still waters, I meditated on this matter and fully identified with Paul’s sentiment.

Explaining a pastor’s heart is rather like trying to explain a good mother’s love. Paul does it when he describes his concern about how the Church of God at Corinth would take his strong reproof. For some examples, consider the following:

“For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle [letter] hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season” (2 Corinthians 7:8). See it? He felt no sorrow or grief over his conduct; he had no second thoughts about what he said to them. He knew it was true and right. His motives were not conflicted: Paul testified that his reproof was not aimed at defending the wrongdoer or the person wronged; it was driven by his love for the entire congregation (2 Corinthians 7:12). When he says, “though I did repent,” he means it grieved him to think his reproof would bring sorrow to them. He testified: “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you” (2 Corinthians 2:4).

It hurts to think we’ve hurt someone we love, even when the hurt we caused was intended only to help. There is no grief quite like it; there is nothing I can compare it to. You might think of it as being like chastising your son or daughter, but in truth, it’s different. The bond there is permanent. You will always be connected by the bands of family. But the bond between a pastor and those he serves is actually quite fragile. Paul testified to this when he lamented to Timothy: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes” (2 Timothy 1:15; for contrast, see 1 Corinthians 16:19). Or consider the case of the Gaatians, who at one time, Paul could say, “ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me” (Galatians 4:15), but at the time he wrote to them, he was compelled to lament: “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain” (Galatians 4:11). He asked them, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16).

I do not mean to suggest that the pain of losing love within a family is not a greater sense of loss; I only point out that the bonds that tether family members are stronger and don’t sever and become permanent as easily as the ties that bind disciples to their disciplers.

So much more could be said, but this is enough, for now at least. Read Paul’s letters and look for what they reveal about a pastor’s heart.

Understanding this, Paul, by the Spirit wrote, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). In a culture that has long ago thrown off reverence, and respect for authority, these words startle and chaff, especially the goats that creep in among us. Therefore, we must put down the arrogant spirit that reacts, sometimes violently, against the Spirit’s exhortation to “obey” those who have the “rule” and “submit” yourselves. So, let’s do that now.

The word obey does not call for what we call blind obedience. Paul congratulated the church that checked what he taught them against the word of God (Acts 17:11). He never presumed to have “dominion over [our] faith” (2 Corinthians 1:24). He rejoiced to see his disciples “reign as kings without [him]” (1 Corinthians 4:8). Indeed, he taught that every man should esteem other better than himself (Philippians 2:3).

Rather, the word indicates respect, calling for humble regard for the office, a reverence for their call, and submission to their “rule” — not as a dictator, but as a shepherd, as one called alongside to help, encourage, and give biblical direction. Paul put it this way: “Esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake” (1 Thessalonians 5:13).

Paul rejoiced that the Corinthians received his correction, discerning that it was holy and righteous. So he said, “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing” (2 Corinthians 7:9).

What damage comes when those we minister to refuse the word of the LORD? It’s personal, but the damage extends to all who love us or are connected to us, and it’s generational.

In the valley, bowing before Him in the shadow of His Cross, I heard Him say, “If any man will come after me,” especially those called to be pastors (shepherds), “let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Amen!

At the table, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy attended us as we went into the harvest together.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap:

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