In our pastoral care we must exhort people with regard to the various aspects of the Christian’s walk in this world. We need to address issues like honesty, hard work, sexual purity, love and forgiveness, marriage and family life, just as Paul does (e.g., Ephesians 4:1 – 6:24). But it is important that we do not deal with these matters simply as rules or patterns of behaviour to be followed. We need to help people to understand how the gospel empowers them to live transformed lives.
11 For you know how, like a father with his children,