Lesson on Shepherding: Not Persuasive Words

For I did not determine to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and this One crucified. And my speech and my proclamation were not in persuasive words of wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, In order that your faith would not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will ascertain not the speech of those who are puffed up but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in speech but in power. 1 Corinthians 2:2, 4, 5; 4:19, 20

Paul as a pattern of shepherding the saints did not determine to know anything except Jesus Christ and Christ crucified. He did not try his best to persuade the believers to take the way he wanted them to take. But he ministered the Word in Spirit and power. This testimony of Paul gave me a new light on shepherding. I was deeply convicted by the way I have been shepherding the new ones. I guess I have tried my best to convince them with persuasive words, using the truth of the Bible. Perhaps, I was biblically correct and all the points I put forth were true to the core. None of the new ones I have been shepherding dare to question me on any point of the truths I presented to them. Even when anyone did, I refuted them and "defeated' them in theological debate. But where are the fruits of all this labor?

Even to date, I have been in touch with a good number of seekers in different parts of India. I have been shepherding them for years altogether now. But for some reason, they could not fully take the way of the Lord's recovery. They are still stuck in their so-called "mother" churches or in their old religious concept. This has bothered me a lot these days. I often get discouraged thinking if they really enjoyed fellowshipping with me and agreed with all the points of truths I presented to them all these years, why are they still lingering in the old things? What has hindered them in their fully coming on the way of the church life; taking the stand for the church? 

Thank the Lord for His merciful speaking to me personally. The answer I received a few days ago is in the words and testimony of the apostle Paul. He was very pure and straightforward. He determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Did I really seek to know nothing other than Christ and Him crucified? Maybe not. So I stand convicted in my expectations and attitude.

Besides, I was so helped to not depend upon my knowledge and revelation of the truths. But I must fully depend on the Spirit of God to work and move in the hearts of these ones I have been superseding. If at all they take the way of the church life in the Lord's recovery, it must be by their own realization of the truth and conviction of the Spirit, and not by my persuasive word.  Thank God for this lesson, yes a very perfecting and humbling lesson.

In fact, I repented for trying to stick my natural hands into the works of God. Now I learnt his simple yet humbling lesson; never trust in your persuasive words, even words full of revelation and knowledge full of truth. Unless the power of the Spirit operates through those words and revelation, it will not bear forth fruits.

Now, I simply learn to depend fully on the Lord and His Spirit to operate in power in all the ones I have been shepherding. I must still be faithful to shepherd them, but I must never trust in my persuasive words, but in the Holy Spirit. So, I hand over all my contacts to the Lord and pray for them, and continue to shepherd them with a pure heart and motive to simply shepherding them. No more hidden string attached of expecting them to take the way I have been taking, I leave that to the Lord wholly. What a release! What freedom from unwarranted expectations and hidden hope! Simply do my part, and leave the result to the Lord. 

Praise the Lord for this wonderful lesson on shepherding! Not persuasive words, but the power of the Spirit!