2 Corinthians 1:23 – 2:4

Leaders can be criticised for many things. Sometimes the flak that comes their way is deserved. A lot of the time it is unjust. (I saw a cartoon some while back. It depicted a pastor’s grave, and on the headstone the epitaph read: ‘I told you the job description was impossible!!’) But whether they deserve the finger wagging in their direction or not, here is one thing that is true of genuine Christian leaders: they love their people far more than those ‘sheep’ ever realise. Paul had been the recipient of much criticism from the Corinthians. They were egged-on by self-appointed ‘super apostles’, who had a vested interest in bad-mouthing Paul, and some in the church at Corinth hurled mud in his direction. A portion of it inevitably sticks. Whether it has a right to or not, it does leave traces. They were saying that Paul was fickle. ‘He makes plans lightly, and then just breaks them. He lets you down. He’s not reliable.’ Paul admitted that he had intended to pay them a visit, but the reason he delayed was because he knew that if he came to them at that time he would only cause them pain. He would have to come wielding a big stick, such was the terrible situation in the church. He wanted to spare them that (23) because he loved them so much. He really did not deserve all the muck winging its way towards him. He decided to try to deal with the thorny issue in a letter and so thus clear the way for a happier visit later

Now, are you ready for the real reason I didn’t visit you in Corinth? As God is my witness, the only reason I didn’t come was to spare you pain. I was being considerate of you, not indifferent, not manipulative…That’s why I decided not to make another visit that could only be painful to both of us. If by merely showing up I would put you in an embarrassingly painful position, how then would you be free to cheer and refresh me? That was my reason for writing a letter instead of coming – So I wouldn’t have to spend a miserable time disappointing the very friends I had looked forward to cheering me up. I was convinced at the time I wrote it that what was best for me was also best for you. As it turned out, there was pain enough in just writing that letter, more tears than ink on the parchment. But I didn’t write it to cause pain; I wrote it so you would know how much I care – oh, more than care – love you! The Message.

The banks of his heart were bursting and overflowing with love for them. Paul was so intent on setting the record straight that he actually called God as his witness (1:23). Although he was in the ‘dock’ and stood accused, he knew that God who knows all things would speak for him and back him up.

Think twice, even three times, before you criticise a church leader. No, it is not that he or she is immune from criticism. They are not perfect and will inevitably get some things wrong; perhaps even badly wrong at times. But when we judge others we do so imperfectly. We don’t know the whole story. We probably don’t even know close to half. So we should be very careful about too freely donating our opinions. That ‘shepherd’ you feel jaundiced towards almost certainly loves you far more than you think.

Pray for those who lead you and encourage them. Certainly you should tell them when they are wrong, but do so lovingly, letting them know how much you care for them. Be very careful about judging the motives that you do not have eyes to see.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for giving us shepherds to lead us. Help us to be quick to believe the best about them, and always hold them in our hearts and prayers.