“Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything” (2 Corinthians 7: 15).
Titus served as a link between the Christians in Corinth and Paul. He clarified the intentions of the apostle, and stayed with them until he won their trust and affection. Paul’s happiness was more because of Titus than because of his report. He had returned with great joy, reflecting the respect that the Corinthian believers had shown him. Be like Titus, a defender of the faith and a peacemaker, willing to clarify things and win the trust and affection of people.
Like Titus, you were called to the ministry of reconciliation. Titus spoke well of Paul to the Corinthians, and of them to Paul. He did not participate in any gossip nor did he punish those who committed faults, but rather he ministered to the new believers. When they corrected their faults, he motivated them to reach new ideals. ‘When one at fault becomes conscious of his error, be careful not to destroy his self-respect.”—The Ministry of Healing, ch. 10, p. 167. Paul did not feel jealous of Titus’s leadership in the congregation that he himself had started up; he was happy with their enthusiasm! Titus’s joy and success became his own success. Sometimes a competitive spirit arises among members of the church, and even among religious ministers. Don’t climb the ladder of success by tearing down others. “Among all God’s workers there should be a spirit of unity and harmony. In our several callings there is to be a mutual dependence on one another for assistance.”—Testimonies for Ministers, ch. 70, p. 491.
As a good team player, Paul assured the Corinthians that Titus had great affection for them: “Some workers pull with all the power that God has given them, but they have not yen learned that they should not pull alone.
Instead of isolating themselves, let them draw in harmony with their fellow-laborers. Unless they do this, their activity will work at the wrong time and in the wrong way. They will often work counter to that which God would have done, and thus their work is worse than wasted.”—Gospel Workers, 488. He also congratulated them for the respectful way in which they had received his helper: “with fear and trembling.
The Corinthians had accepted [Titus] as a messenger sent by God. They had also made evident their earnest eagerness to please him, and feit a holy fear lest they might in any way fail to measure up to what was expected of them. Godly sorrow breaks down human pride.”—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 88a.
www.meditacionesdiarias.com
https://twitter.com/meditacionesdi1
http://www.instagram.com/meditacionesdiarias7
Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Esteban Cortes
