A NEEDED COMBINATION

You know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His kingdom and glory.  I Thess. 2:11-12

            Eugene Peterson paraphrases this beautifully.  “With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.”  He characterizes the kind of mentor each of us needs.

            I just returned from a national conference where I heard an array of speakers.  The stark difference between one man and the rest of the lineup was eye-opening.  Several prominent teachers imparted information.  They knew their Bibles well, were called the brilliant theologians of our times, but lacked any trace of a warm fatherly tone.  They shared nothing of themselves or how they felt about the text. 

            In contrast to that was one particular speaker who began his session in tears.  He shared his testimony, recalled how much he had been forgiven by God, and then began to explore three different stories from the Gospels.  He communicated the power of each story with passion, almost breathless.

            As I sat in the audience and watched the overall response to this man in contrast to the others, I was reminded that teachers who do nothing but exhort are plentiful but they usually perpetrate fear and frustration.  The message is stern; the expectations high.  Those who sit under their teaching struggle in private.  They take their needs and personal battles into seclusion and wrestle with deep-seated shame.  They long to connect with the heart of a spiritual father but their shepherd hides behind his intellect.

            On the flip side, pastor/teachers who do nothing but hand-hold perpetrate tolerance and ignorance.  Love appears to be present but it is a love that fails to instruct.  While this shepherd may be at your side when there’s a personal crisis, there is little substance behind his compassion.  Discipleship is mostly non-existent and you will often flounder for lack of biblical guidance.

            Paul reveals the winning combination.  One who seeks to build a healthy church must exhort and encourage and implore. Heart and head are ever in balance.

This message is for me, Lord.  Compassion without instruction is failing to love like You did.  I need your help.  Amen