Love Like Paul
1 Corinthians 4:17: For this reason I am sending you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church (NIV).
Early churches had flaws just like churches today. Instead of trying to force them to change using punishment and shame, the apostles and missionaries sought to encourage their brothers and sisters to follow Jesus' example of unconditional love. They helped heal difficult situations through both loving exhortation and a faithful example.
Paul loved the church in a way a father loves his child. In 1 Corinthians 4:14 Paul writes, "I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children." Paul took time to provide a Christ-like example, encourage the parishioners, and send missionaries to help out in difficult situations.
Can you love your children like Paul loved the church?
