Daily Devotional for Saturday, June 14

Paul’s Appearance

“Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power,” 1 Corinthians 4:18, 19.

I grew up in a happy home with established boundaries. Things were rather peaceful, as long as the three of us kids obeyed the rules. Interestingly enough, we were more well-behaved when my father was around. He was, without a doubt, the disciplinarian of the family. If I went too far and crossed the line with my mother, she would threaten to tell my father and then the fear of God would sweep over me! All I could hope for at that point was to get into my mothers’ good graces and pray she would forget by the time he got home. Knowing my dad was on the way caused me to change my behavior quickly!

This is the natural way children behave, yet there is an expectation that they will grow into mature adults that do not need supervision to do what is right. Sadly, Paul was dealing with some in the Corinth church that were puffed up with pride, allowing sinful behavior in the church. Paul admonished them and warned that he would be coming to them shortly. They had not properly matured in the faith to be obedient to the Lord while Paul was away from them. Like a father with a child, he would much rather come to them with gentleness and love. Yet, when hearts are hardened, correction is necessary.

 How do you behave when no one is looking? “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). Obedience to the Lord and His Word is something we must strive for in our individual lives as well as in His churches. Jesus is coming soon! May He find us faithful.

REFLECTION

“Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not” (Proverbs 8:33).

Darla Goodrum