“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:”
2 Corinthians 13:1-2 KJV
Paul concludes this epistle with discipline, “This will be my third trip to you. And I will make sure that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter will be confirmed. Since you are demanding proof that the Anointed One is speaking through me, I will give you proof by exercising discipline among you. For just as I told you the last time I was there—and now, though absent, I say it again—that when I come I will not go easy on those whom I’ve already warned and those who continue to persist in their sin”. Jesus Himself had said while talking of discipline in behaviour, “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’” When believers don’t submit to the Word of God and insist on doing their own thing, it brings divisiveness. Paul confronted this disunity and handled every accusation by the fruit of his life. The authority that comes on the under shepherds that God has assigned under Him, the Chief Shepherd, comes only by living a life of righteousness and purity, submitting to the Holy Spirit and following Jesus’s example. Many church leaders today fall because they think they can lead a double life! But God exposes the things done in darkness. May we live in the fear of God because there is wisdom in that. Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment