To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 6, Day 5 - Christ is the Focus, the Power, and the Goal of Our Lives
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And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:24–26
Many a man has been lost to sin through the careless words of a self-righteous judge. While it is important to confront a sinner with the truth of his sin, we must do so with a heart that mirrors the compassion of Christ. Rather than trying to win an argument or expose a crime, a Catholic man needs to be gentle, patient, and understanding in challenging his brother about his sin. A man under the influence of the enemy will be defensive and see his situation from a clouded perspective. We must approach him as Our Lord approached so many hurting souls: with gentleness and love.
We must allow the power of the Holy Spirit to change our brother’s heart. If we permit arrogance or pride to rule our hearts, our brother will shut down to us and we will accomplish nothing. Ultimately, it is the grace of God that leads a brother to turn away from his sin. The key to true accountability is tying our actions to the overall mission and end of Christianity. When we choose to walk a gentle road with a broken sinner, ever mindful of how our journeys will affect the Church, we open the door for change and yield to the love of God that saves us from ourselves.
Questions for reflection
When have you allowed a judgmental spirit rather than a loving spirit to rule your heart? What was the result?
How have you grown in your ability to respond to sin with gentleness and patience?
When have you seen God work in a brother’s life to turn him back to Jesus?
Praying with Scripture
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. (Eph 4:15)
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
