BALANCING CORRECTION AND NURTURING
I Corinthians 4:18-21
"Now some are puffed up [marg. arrogant] as though I was not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?"
Paul was filling two roles – as an apostle with the rod of correction, and as a nurturing father with love and gentleness. Both correction and nurturing are important when dealing with children (no matter what age). The rod is necessary for the arrogant and rebellious, but nurturing is important for the repentant. When applied wrongly, both the rod and nurturing can produce even more rebellion. The wise father knows the difference. I sense that Paul's threat of correction was not just empty words. He had the authority to use the rod. But I also sense that he would rather come with the grace, love, and gentleness of nurturing. Our Heavenly Father uses both with His children at the appropriate times, but I think He would rather nurture my humility than correct my pride.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The rod of correction is necessary for the arrogant, but the gentleness of nurturing is appropriate for the repentant.
Have a balanced day. Love you.
I Corinthians 4:18-21
"Now some are puffed up [marg. arrogant] as though I was not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?"
Paul was filling two roles – as an apostle with the rod of correction, and as a nurturing father with love and gentleness. Both correction and nurturing are important when dealing with children (no matter what age). The rod is necessary for the arrogant and rebellious, but nurturing is important for the repentant. When applied wrongly, both the rod and nurturing can produce even more rebellion. The wise father knows the difference. I sense that Paul's threat of correction was not just empty words. He had the authority to use the rod. But I also sense that he would rather come with the grace, love, and gentleness of nurturing. Our Heavenly Father uses both with His children at the appropriate times, but I think He would rather nurture my humility than correct my pride.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The rod of correction is necessary for the arrogant, but the gentleness of nurturing is appropriate for the repentant.
Have a balanced day. Love you.
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