Taking the Third Way

In Daily Devotional by Dean Brenton

Bible Passage: “Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All of God’s people here send you their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:11-13 NLT)

Scripture Reading: Psalm 133:1-3; John 17:1-26; 2 Corinthians 13:1-14

This week, we have seen that conflict is all too common. Our daily news reveals a world in turmoil, marked by culture wars, political polarization, and international disputes. The Church is not exempt. Disagreements and divisions over theology and practice are displayed daily on social media.

What do we do when we face tears, trials, troublemakers, trauma, or thorns?

Stay?

Leave?

Or is there a third way?

Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthian church with three key insights into living the third way:

  1. Attitude. He begins with the encouragement to “be joyful.” Third-way men live with a hopeful and joyful attitude, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Conflict around us need not steal our joy if we stay focused on Christ and His purposes.
  2. Altitude. He challenges them to “grow to maturity.” Third-way men are committed to new heights in their relationship with God through spiritual rhythms and daily practices.
  3. Action. The admonition, “Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace,” was the ultimate need in Corinth. Paul challenged them to be peacemakers and encouragers, the antidote to divisions and conflict.

The church in Corinth had much potential for Gospel advancement. Paul loved them deeply and wanted them to flourish in their unity, generosity, and witness (2 Corinthians 9:13-14).

Third-way men learn to live what they want to see: as peacemakers, encouragers, and harmoniously. It does not guarantee the end of conflict, but there is an extraordinary promise:

“Then the God of love and peace will be with you.”

This unique Pauline phrase identifies two elements that the Corinthians and the modern Church desperately need: love and peace.

To conclude, Paul invokes the blessing of the Trinity, the perfect model of unity. That blessing is available for third-way men, and that unity can serve as a beacon of hope in a fractured world.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a third-way man. In my attitudes, altitude, and actions, let me demonstrate Your love to the broken world around me. Please help me to be the change I want to see. Amen.

Reflection: What areas of your life could use a tune-up to become a third-way man? Your attitude of hopeful joy? Greater altitude through growth and maturity? Actions that demonstrate the nature of our Triune God? How might you move in that direction today?

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About
Dean Brenton
Dean is the President of Impactus. He has been an active part of denominational, national, and parachurch committees, initiatives and events as well as international and local mission projects. He previously served for 13 years as the Executive Director of Ministry Development and Strategic Initiatives/Executive Director of Church Ministries for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador (PAONL). He also served as a Part-Time Instructor with Tyndale University (Toronto, ON) and Queen’s College (St. John’s, NL).
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Dean Brenton
Dean is the President of Impactus. He has been an active part of denominational, national, and parachurch committees, initiatives and events as well as international and local mission projects. He previously served for 13 years as the Executive Director of Ministry Development and Strategic Initiatives/Executive Director of Church Ministries for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador (PAONL). He also served as a Part-Time Instructor with Tyndale University (Toronto, ON) and Queen’s College (St. John’s, NL).