The Dignity of Decision

Daily Reading // 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

READY // SILENCIO

Take a moment to quiet your mind and prepare your heart for your time with the Lord.

READ // LECTIO

Read the passage above up to three times aloud. Allow yourself to feel the words as they are read.

REFLECT // MEDITATIO

Now direct your focus on the words, phrases concepts or sentences that got your attention. What is God speaking to you today through His word?

2 Corinthians 10:1 (NKJV) Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--who in presence [am] lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

It strikes me today that the Apostle Paul pleaded with the Corinthians. He pleaded with them to hear his words and follow his godly instruction. He pleaded with them to stop being self destructive and start living for the Lord. He pleaded with them.

Paul brought the gospel to Corinth and started the church. He was, as he said elsewhere, their father in the faith. He wasn’t a demanding father. He was a kind, gentle and loving father.

That’s what real ministry is, I guess. It is instruction with a dose of pleading. Not a self-interest pleading but a God-interest pleading.

A couple of verses down Paul uses another interesting word - ‘beg’. Paul was a beggar, begging not for himself but for them.

He could have demanded. He could have forced them. He could have manipulated, coerced, strong-armed or guilted them. Instead he pleaded with them.

Real ministry leaves the decision of obedience fully with the one being ministered to. It doesn’t make the decision for them. There is a strong appeal in Paul’s words showing his great care for them. But the dignity of decision is left with the Corinthians.

God leaves me with the dignity of decision, too. What will I choose today?

RESPOND // ORATIO

Pray in response to what the Lord has spoken to you.

Father, You leave me with the dignity of decision. I can chose to follow or turn away. I choose to follow You today. Lead me by Your Spirit. Amen.

Tomorrow’s reading -> 2 Corinthians 10:7-11