Introductory Thoughts
The Bible describes the Corinthian Church as carnal. In fact, some of the believers at Corinth had become puffed up that Paul was not personally coming to visit them. Instead, the apostle Paul sent Timothy to the church of God at Corinth with words of warning. Paul informed them that he could come to them with the rod of judgment or “in love, and in the spirit of meekness.” Paul strongly believed in dealing with wayward believers in the spirit of meekness. He expressed as much in Galatians 6:1 when he wrote: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Paul favoured restoration and believed that responding in love and meekness was generally the best avenue for that restoration. Often, the prideful response of those who should be reacting spiritually toward wayward believers simply drives these believers further away from God.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): We all like to hear pleasant words (Proverbs 16:24). When someone does not treat us the right way, God wants us to tell them they are wrong but use gentle and kind words rather than harsh and hateful ones. In fact, by correcting in meekness, they will more likely listen to what you have to say.
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(For everyone): How do you deal with fellow believers who have done you wrong? Do you immediately rebuke them in anger or do you patiently try to win them back in the spirit of meekness?
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How do you deal with your family when they have done you wrong? Do you yell and scream at them or do you attempt to restore them in meekness?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to give you a right kind of heart for His people.
- Ask God to help you restore in the spirit of meekness those who have gotten away from the ways of the Lord.
Song
COME, YE DISCONSOLATE
