Good morning,
Have you seen the incredible pictures of the stars and planets that the astronomers have been taking lately? They are breathtaking in their beauty. These pictures demonstrate the number and kinds of heavenly bodies the Lord has created by just speaking a word. Even though this part of his creation is so incredibly big, everything about it stays in perfect control. The stars and planets are not free to go floating off on adventure trips and the forces of God’s creation are not open to be controlled by anyone else. Our earth was made by the same Creator, and only he can control the movements of the seas, the dry land and the atmosphere. When he created all the other forms of plant and animal life, they were all designed to stay within his carefully determined limits. But when God created human life in his own image, he did something very different. God created us with guidelines and choices that gave us responsibility for what would happen to us for the rest of time and eternity.
God also made the angels with choice and a rebellious heavenly being led one third of the angels in a battle for control of God’s kingdom. Satan and his followers lost their place in heaven and they are now giving us encouragement to control our earth bound lives ourselves instead of following our loving creator. So how does this effect those of us who have been called to lead God’s people this side of eternity. Sinful people need correction and direction as well as encouragement and support. Paul was very familiar with the rules of religion that keep people following their leaders because of the control they demanded in the lives of those in their care. God taught Paul that the purpose of rebuke and correction was not to dominate the people in his care but to guide them in following God’s highway to joy and peace. God longs for us to follow him by faith as he leads us through the choices and challenges of life. He longs for us to willingly work together with his Holy Spirit in teaching the rules of love that will result in lives lived in confidence and security in the face of the rebellion all around us. We have been called to lead others, but we must not forget that God longs for us to lead people to him and not to our own form of personal control.
II Corinthians 1:23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm
Roy Wisner
