The rod, or love & meekness

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. We bless God for His goodness, mercies, grace, faithfulness, and blessing. Father, we honor and we exalt You. For Your chastisement for those You love, we thank You and say we love You.

Primary Text

“What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?” 1 Corinthians 4v21 (KJV)

There is a time for everything, and a different approach might be called for under different situations with different people. Ecclesiastes 3v1, 3, 4, 5, 7 & 8 say “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: … a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; … A time to love, and a time to hate.” The apostle Paul poses a question to the believers here asking what way should he come to them. The rod could signify a stern and hard approach. Proverbs 29v15 & 17 says “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame… Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” Love is called the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12v31), and is said to “covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].” (1 Peter 4v8). However, love does not rejoice in iniquity, but in the truth (1 Corinthians 13v6). With coming in the spirit of meekness, meekness can mean “the disposition to be gentle, kind, indulgent, even balanced in tempers and passions, and patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge” (Dakes Concordance).  

Supplementary Text

“Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?” 1 Corinthians 4v21 (NLT)

Prayer

Father God, we bless You, we thank You and we love You. We pray for wisdom to know how to react and deal with each and every situation in Jesus name, amen.