Monday, October 28, 2013

Failing a Test of Patience

Ministers, young and old, male or female, whether lay ministers or pastors of churches, we are called to be examples to one another. Our way of speaking, the type of language, our tone and attitude and our conduct should all reflect love, faith and purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

It sounds sweet, but it is sometimes difficult when others are speaking to us with contempt or disrespectful. Our human nature is to defend ourselves, and that is necessary at times. But when it is, we remain committed to reflect love, faith and integrity.

If we fail, as I have, at times most miserably, God remains faithful to teach us through patient discipline to be more and more like his Son (Romans 8:28-29; Hebrew 12:1-11). And when our hearts condemn us, or the enemy accuses us, God is greater than both of them (1 John 3:20).