We can say with confidence
We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. 2 Corinthians 1:12
Life isn’t always easy. It certainly wasn’t for Paul, whose ministry often came under vicious attack. His relationship with the church in Corinth was, at times, particularly painful, especially as he had helped to establish it. He loved the Corinthians passionately and was desperate for them to grow and thrive in the Lord. However, time and again, they were a great disappointment to him. It got even worse when they started making cruel and unfounded accusations against him.
Nothing is harder than people falsely accusing you. It is so incredibly painful. When you know that you have acted out of love and concern, it is agonising to be accused of acting out of self-interest. Paul’s response is that he is absolutely convinced he has acted in the right way towards God.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what other people make of our ministry. What matters is what God makes of it, and Paul is utterly convinced that he has ministered in the right way.
I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of church leaders over the years and have often seen them accused by others. It is always painful and difficult. In those moments, it is easy to focus on the detail of the accusation. But what matters most is coming before God and assessing where we are before him. If we are, like Paul, convinced that we have acted in a way that is honouring to God, we should give thanks and enjoy the peace which God gives us. It is still appropriate to answer our critics, but we will not be doing so in our own strength and wisdom but in God’s.
QUESTION
What would you do if you were falsely accused?
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you that you don’t leave me when times are hard. Help me always to respond to criticism with grace, wisdom and love. Amen
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