speaking humbly, writing boldly

Writing boldly, speaking softly

S-2Cor10

1 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, 9 for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.” 11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.

12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting beyond our measure, that {is,} in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, 16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. 17 But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. 18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

O-I almost got lost in Paul‘s dissertation here, not because it was it clear, but because I feel it mimics my own reality. What Paul is speaking to the church in Corinth is about who he is. Since Paul has established the church in Corinth, left, and sent letters back giving guidance I.e. 1 Corinthian’s.Here in second Corinthians we see Paul needing to explain to the people of Corinth that while he is with them he may appear humble and meek, yet in letters bold and pressing. His truth is that he is both , both kind and compassionate, and at bold in demanding. Paul goes on to explain this boldness doesn’t come from himself, therefore is not arrogance, but his strength comes from the Lord and therefore is righteous.

A-The application for me is to live a life like Paul, to be a leader like Paul, and to be a servant of Christ like Paul. I see Paul’s boldness in myself, not yet perfected, yet building into a Christ center leader who boldly can speak the truth, in love. The mistakes I’ve made in the past have been to expect people to recognize who I am and who I represent. When disrespected, or minimized I respond and elevate from my place of boldness to a place of anger in retaliation. It is this behavior I must stop, and follow Paul‘s example. Paul does two things in hears about things that upset him, he writes a letter in boldness impresses in direct me harshly at times but is able to prelude and post script it in a way that the corrected receive the correction in love. For me I must continue to practice my skills of articulating my thoughts in writing, more than reacting with my words in speech.I myself so follow Paul’s example and when in person, with kindness and love.

P-Dear heavenly father, thank you for today’s lesson, may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you would continue to help transform my heart and mind in to Jesus’ image, and particularly help me to pause when confronted with things that upset me help me to respond meekly and with love. But I also ask that you would continue to develop my writing skills so that I may communicate with boldness And righteousness.