Passage Read: 2 Corinthians 6-7
Meditation Verse: 7:15
Thought
Paul sent Titus to Corinth to straighten things out, and they received him with fear and trembling and with full obedience. Paul commends them for that, and because of it, Titus has much greater affection for them. This, then, is how a congregation of believers should receive one who has much greater knowledge, training and experience in walking with and serving the Lord. Titus wasn't an apostle in the same way that Paul was, but he was trained by Paul and one of Paul's key men. He had been in Christ longer than them and had been commissioned by Paul as his representative, as qualified to teach and explain anything Paul taught that remained unclear from his letters. The Corinthians recognized all that and responded in great humility, in obedience, in an eagerness to learn and do whatever Titus taught. They went beyond that, receiving Titus with fear and trembling.
Application
"Fear and trembling." That's the right attitude to have toward a well-trained and faithful servant of Jesus Christ. But how unpleasant that sounds to my American sensibilities. "All men are equal." But in truth, some men know God better than me. Some men know God's Word and ways far better than the average church-goer. But we don't naturally hold such men in the highest of honor, eagerly listening to their teaching, afraid to speak up and question or debate their instruction. So many of us who have far less experience in God's Word, practice and service think we're just as qualified to teach as those who have spent years studying and living out the instructions of God. We are not all the same and we are not all at the same level of understanding. Those who know more than me, who have more experience than me are worthy of greater honor than I desire from them. I need to look on them and listen to them with fear and trembling and a heart of full obedience, trusting that they fear and tremble before God in the same way. I want to be the kind of student of God and servant of God that is worthy of this same response; there is a great weight of responsibility that comes with receiving such respect. I need to make sure I'm fully obedient to God, afraid of and trembling before Him and His Word, seeking His praise in everything I teach, do and say.