Compassion In Church!
BRD REFLECTIONS:
2 Corinthians 11 and Psalm 51 (NIV)
(Grace Chew – SGM Core Team)
READ:
The following Bible verses stood out to me as I read 2 Corinthians 11 and Psalm 51:
- “Are they ministers of Christ? – I speak as a fool – I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.” (2 Corinthians 11:23, NKJV)
- “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart – These, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51: 17, NJKV)
OBSERVE:
I understand 2 Corinthians to be Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church to deal with the accusations he had received from its members (e.g. being unimpressive in appearance and speech, unqualified, etc). Chapters 1 to 7 have a gentler and tender tone, appealing with sincerity to the readers. Chapter 11, on the other hand, is a more pointed defence, tinged with sarcasm, which I thought was also quite sassy of him.
2 Corinthians 11:23 stood out to me in particular because it reminded me of how often:
1) I fail to recognize and appreciate the hard work behind spreading the gospel and leading a church
2) I take for granted the sacrifices pastors, church leaders, missionaries go through to build up the church globally
3) I am in denial of the cost of discipleship
Psalm 51 is a Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to admonish him after David had gone into Bathsheba. Psalm 51 brings to mind the simplicity of Christ, His lovingkindness and mercy and the forgiveness of sin we have through Jesus Christ when we sincerely repent with a “broken spirit” and a “broken and contrite heart”. Neither sacrifices nor offerings will earn us love or forgiveness without true repentance in the name of Jesus Christ.
APPLY:
As a member of the church community, I am reminded to be more compassionate and understanding towards our leaders and my fellow volunteers, fully acknowledging that I do not know the nature of their work and the sacrifices they make to serve God and the church. Secondly, I seek to deepen my relationship with the Lord, coming to Him each day, knowing that no sin, no shortcoming, no request, no desire goes unnoticed in the eyes of the Lord, and that a poor spirit and contrite heart draws me closer to Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.
DO:
I will be more proactive in praying for and expressing my gratitude towards church leaders, staff, volunteers, etc. I will try to interact with more church members, getting to know them better, and building a community that can support each other, recognizing that we each have battles to fight and overcome.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, our Heavenly Father, I thank you for your word for me today. I ask for your forgiveness for the times I have taken my fellow brothers and sisters for granted. I would like to lift our church Pastors, church staff, lay leaders, and volunteers into your hands. I pray that you continue to watch over their spiritual and physical wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of their families. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
