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•1我－保罗与你们见面的时候是温和的，不在你们那里的时候向你们是勇敢的，如今亲自藉着基督的温柔和慈祥劝你们。2有人认为我们是凭着血气行事，我认为必须敢于对付这等人；我但求在那里的时候，不必这样勇敢。

你是否曾经给别人发过那种充满怒气的邮件？过后希望能够撤回？在如今电子邮件的时代，可能很难，但是在以前只能用纸笔写信的年代，你可能还有几个小时的时间，可以把信件从邮箱里取回来。当我们不必直视别人眼睛的时候，我们很容易变得“勇敢”。保罗在这里承认，与他见面的时候他可能看起来是“温和”的（懦弱的），但当他们不在一起的时候，他给他们写信就是“勇敢”的。

另一方面，当必要的时候，我们就应该勇敢和直接。你是否曾经想对某个朋友指出一些事情，但又害怕那么做，因为你不想伤害他的感情？然而过后你会感到难过，因为你错过了绝佳的机会，向你朋友说必须说的话。

以弗所书4章15节，保罗提醒我们“用爱心说诚实话。”如果我们该说话时却保持沉默，这并不是爱的表现。如果你的朋友需要被纠正错误，那么他就需要你告诉他们真相，需要你对他们负起责任，需要你呼唤他们悔改。与此同时，我们应该用爱心说诚实话。我们带着温柔和慈祥来到他们面前，我们说话也是出于善意和关心。

我们从哪里才能学习这样充满爱的纠正和鼓励？我认为耶稣就是最好的榜样。他从不害怕说出真理，即使这不受欢迎。与此同时，他的目标永远是寻回那些失丧的人。

祷告：主耶稣，请赐给我勇气在必要的时候说话，同时也赐给我爱心，在说话时显现出温柔和谦卑。阿们。

2 Corinthians 10:  By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. (NIV)

The angry email.  Have you ever sent one of those and wished you could get it back? At least when we only could write letters, we had a few hours to pull in out of the mailbox!  It’s easy to be “bold” when we aren’t looking into someone’s eyes.  Paul as much as admits here that he may appear “timid” when face to face, but “bold” when he is away and writing a letter.

        On the other hand, sometimes we ought to be bolder and more direct in person when that is what is called for. Have you ever wanted to bring something up to a friend, but were afraid to do so because you didn’t want to hurt their feelings? Then, later, you were upset with yourself because you missed the perfect opportunity to speak necessary words to your friend.

        In Ephesians 4:15, Paul reminds us to “speak the truth in love.” It is not a loving thing to remain silent when we should speak. A friend who needs correction needs someone who will tell them the truth, who will hold them accountable, who will call them to repentance. At the same time, we ought to speak the truth with love. We come with humility and gentleness. We speak out of kindness and concern.

        Where do we learn this fine art of loving correction and encouragement?  I can think of no better model than Jesus himself. He was never afraid to speak the truth, even when it was not welcome. At the same time, his goal was always to win the lost.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, give me courage to speak when it is necessary, and the love which expresses itself with humility and gentleness. Amen.