September 3

Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 22:16

I know some very good pastors. My husband has been a pastor for much of his life, my brother is a pastor and my son-in-law is a pastor. And I served as director of women’s ministries under the leadership of a good pastor. Each of these men displays the traits described in our reading today in 2 Corinthians 6 & 7.

Paul displays a deep passion for the holiness of the Church (2 Cor. 6:14-18). For the church to be holy, she must hold to the truths that God commands. “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols (vs. 16)?” The church must not be yoked together with unbelievers (vs. 14) for righteousness and wickedness have nothing in common. Dr. David Lowery writing in The Bible Knowledge Commentary says that though Christians often apply this to various alliances like marriage or business, its primary application was probably the church (p. 570). Paul was urging the Church to stay away from false teachings and to stay pure. (Also see the OYB July 13 post for Esther’s comments on the church and the LGBTQ movement).

Secondly, Paul wants the church at Corinth to understand that he meant them good in his actions and letters. He had lived honorably among them and before them. He had no secret sins against them. He had no fear of someone somewhere rising up to accuse him. Though he was not sinless, he had no known sins against his flock.

Third, he expresses great love for the Corinthian church (2 Cor. 7:6). We don’t often think of Paul as an affectionate man, but he does love the Church and, certainly, the Lord of the Church. And he says that in plain language.

What a good pattern for pastors to follow. A pastor should be concerned about the holiness of the church he shepherds. The church is to be separate from the culture we live in. “What do righteousness and wickedness have in common” (2 Cor. 6:14)? A pastor must teach the unpopular truths of the Bible. Righteousness has never been a popular agenda but it is the only appropriate agenda for the Church.

And it is right for a pastor to watch his actions carefully so he is able to say with Paul, “We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one” (2 Cor. 7:2). I am proud of these pastors that I know well—these words are true of each of them. Thank you Don, David F., Eric and Dale for being trustworthy examples.

And thirdly, how appropriate for a pastor to declare his affection for and allegiance to his congregation. Paul does it unabashedly: “I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you” (2 Cor. 7:4). I like to hear a pastor tell his flock that he has deep love for them—they are happy and he is happy. Go ahead, pastors. Tell your congregations that you love them—they will thrive under your words.

Because I have a deep love and passion for the Church, I am delighted when the local church I attend is prospering. God’s plan for the present and the future will always include His Church. And His Church must stay true to the written Word of God.

May our pastors continue to lead us in this way.

- Nell Sunukjian

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