Borrowed Breath

As I’ve been working on my second paper for my NT Survey course, I’ve noticed several constant themes in a number of the Pauline epistles. Paul’s consistently takes time in the beginning of each epistle to write encouragement and thanksgiving to the recipients of his letters. And he is not merely buttering them up, or praising them falsely to soften the blow of his admonition. He is genuinely encouraged by their growth, and he wants them to know that he is. He is also aware that if he just came at them right away blasting everything that they were doing wrong, they might get defensive and not be able to receive his instruction. So he wisely opts to begin with encouragement and praise.

It is easy to see where others fall short. And it is effortless then to be critical and vocal. That’s human nature. But the Spirit of Christ within us can temper that tendency and make us more loving and caring and genuine. When we take a few extra moments to look for and remember some trait in that person for which we are grateful, or which is praiseworthy, it will affect how we address the issue at hand. It has to.

Another common thread that runs through these epistles is the fact that Paul realized that these followers of Jesus had lost sight of Him and were focusing on other things. I think if we look into it, we will find that this is also true of us and of the shortcomings of our brothers or sisters today. And the remedy is the same today as it was in the era of the early church—a true image of Jesus Christ in the face of everything else. Once Paul set the stage by letting them know how thankful he was for them, he took the time to point these new believers back to Jesus.

Look to Jesus again today, dear soul. Refocus on Him.