SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11
OBSERVATION:
Apparently by choosing to not go back to Corinth after he wrote his first letter (1:23), the Corinthians were hurt, assuming that he was rejecting and judging them.
In his first letter to the church of Corinth, Paul wrote about a case of incest (1 Corinthians 5:1-5) – now he urges them to show mercy to the offending brother (2:5-11).
This letter reveals a situation of sensitive hearts being wounded by a letter, so Paul is writing to reaffirm his strong love for them, despite their flaws.
Paul wants his ministry style to be “work with you” rather than “lord it over you” (1:24)
Paul is not opposed to loving rebuke, but he also stresses the need to forgive (2:10).
Satan is always at work, twisting what we do into hurt, misunderstanding and division, this is how he schemes to undermine us (2:11).
APPLICATION:
I am reminded how often Satan attempts to cause hurt, misunderstanding and division, even through the good things we do.
I have often experienced this, where good efforts and good intentions are interpreted negatively, or when honest mistakes or oversights are seen as intentional decisions to hurt, to cheat, to offend.
Satan doesn’t care how he divides us, so long as he divides us.
We need to constantly be on guard for this, knowing that Satan will twist our good intentions and efforts towards others, and that apparent offenses by others are also likely Satan’s attempts to divide and conquer. I need to assume the best, and not the worst of those around me. Otherwise I am allowing Satan to outwit me.
PRAYER:
Lord, so often I am frustrated by what people do or do not do – and then I realize that in the same way people are frustrated with me. Help me to have a gracious heart, to assume the best and not the worst about others. Help me to resist the devil’s schemes to divide and conquer. Amen.
I think the hardest part of this verse for me is that part about forgiveness. Too often I lay a judgement on somebody saying “this is what he/she should do to make up for this sin.” I pray every night for me to have a forgiving heart and to have mercy upon others as Christ on me. Not only for others, but for myself as well. I think I have a greater problem holding my own sins against myself. I have trouble forgiving myself or allowing Christ to forgive me, which I need to learn to allow. However, recognizing that as a foothold for Satan is the first step, it’s only uphill from there if we allow God’s hand to guide us.
How often are our actions ‘read’ wrong by those we love? We are ‘living letters’ read by all, but we must be careful not to misread eachother. We are working for the Lord together with joy in our hearts for it is the King we are serving.
By this passage I am reminded how sensitive I am to the rights and wrongs among God’s people. I am quick to insist upon my own way. I am not quick to forgive. I desire the other person to make the first step for reconciliation. Paul tells me to ‘forgive, and comfort and reaffirm our love’ for one another. I need to live a life of obedience – not mine will but Yours be done. Since my Comforter is God, I need to trust and obey and make healing a part of my daily living for Jesus, not giving Satan a foot hold. As the Lord daily forgves me, I too need to be like Jesus and forgive others.
And they’ll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love,
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.