Paul Holds No Grudge

Call in the New Testament Jesus and His Calls in Ministry Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    Priscilla: Called to Minister 2 Timothy 4:9-18 New International Version Personal Remarks 9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. 16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. For Reflection Ministering in the name of Christ is risky business. Most of the time, you are introducing ideas that are foreign to the listener. Furthermore, the message advocates counter-culture and counter-intuitive premises for human behavior. To some, the Message is welcomed. To others, it threatens the core beliefs that make them who they think they are. Paul has suffered the abuses of the deniers, and those fear a loss of control of their lives and the privileges they have enjoyed. Instead of the Gospel freeing them, they assume acting on the Message will inhibit them. Despite the attacks and injustices Paul has endured, He holds no grudge. Moreover, Paul instructs his followers to put away notions of retribution. He places his faith and trust in the Lord and sets aside his victimization for the Glory in his ministry. Pray Pray, So that your ministry is humble and tolerant of those who challenge you. Forward to a friend