“What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4:15–16, ESV)
I believe that many parishioners have no clue about the true heart of the pastor. Early on in my calling to the pastorate, I remember a young couple. I spent a lot of time with this couple and poured into their lives. I cared about them just as I cared for all in the congregation. They responded to my sermons and instruction with what I considered to be heartfelt obedience.
Then one time I preached a hard sermon dealing with devotion to Jesus. It was hard, and perhaps I did not use enough tack, but it was true. Well, a day later I received a scathing email from this same couple. I was deeply hurt by their words. All I was trying to do was preach the truth.
It so happened that I was teaching in an extension seminary at the time and that Monday evening I met the extension dean’s wife. The dean was a pastor serving part-time with the extension. I mentioned to his wife regarding the email I received and she stated, “Oh my husband has a full file draw of the same type of letters.”
Over the years now, I have accumulated many other similar letters of my own. What have I learned from all of this? First, that pastors have emotions too. Many feel that we are iron-cladded supermen, but we are not. We love our people and only want the best for them. Sometimes, this means preaching difficult things. We have no intention of hurting people, but do sometimes step on some toes.
Second, I learned how fickle relationships can be in the church. Sometimes the people you pour the most love into will be the same ones who will turn on you. When they do the pain is real. A mentor of mine once said this of the pastoral ministry. “A pastor must have the heart of a lamb and the skin of a rhinoceros.”
I am not sure what Paul’s real emotional state was in dealing with the Galatians. Yet we have a hint here. He had a close bond with the church. He went to them when he was in some sort of physical distress, likely an illness. Yet he worked through the illness to give them the truth, and they received it. They not only received the message, but had built a close relationship with Paul. It was one in which Paul felt that they would have even plucked out their own eyes and given them to Paul if necessary. Yet something changed as evidenced by their departure from Paul’s message of salvation by grace through faith.
As a result of their departure from the truth that Paul preached, he felt as if they had become enemies in some way. See his words on this.
“What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4:15–16, ESV)
The point is this. Paul wanted nothing more than the best for the Galatians. He loved them and poured out his heart for them. However, now their departure from the truth he preached to them was like a dagger to the heart. Thus, he implored them to return to the truth. Paul had the heart of a pastor.
It behooves all of us to realize that our pastors, the ones that preach the truth, do so for our good. It is because they love us, and have an obligation to the Lord to shepherd the flock. They are to do this from a heart of love for the parishioners, and not of necessity for monetary gain. In many cases, they sacrifice for the sake of the people. Remember that they are just human too. They also are not perfect. They will on occasion misstate things or present truth in a harsh and non-tactful way. Let us be a little understanding. Remember, they are emotional beings just like us, and let us always respond to their love with love ourselves
Renewing the Heart 