Jim Peters

Paul's 2nd Letter to the Corinthians – Part 3

Posted on 28. Jul, 2009 by Jim Peters in Hearing God - Jim's Daily D

Friday, 24 July 2009
2 Corinthians 2:1-11

1 I decided this for myself, (that) I wouldn’t come to you again overcome by grief. 2 If I make you sad, who then will make me happy except (the people) I made sad.
3 I wrote this same (thing) so that when I came I wouldn’t have to be overcome with grief from those who should have made me rejoice, having confidence that my joy in all of you (would come) from all of you. 4 I wrote to you with a lot of distress in my heart and many tears so that you would know the unconditional love that I have especially for you, not to make you sad. 5 In order not to overburden you, if some have caused sadness, they have in part caused sadness to all of you, not (just) to me. 6 This punishment from many (people) is enough for (a person) like this, 7 so that you should instead be more willing to forgive (a person) such as this (so that they’re) not swallowed up by excessive sadness. 8 Therefore call them to you side and publically confirm your unconditional love for them.
9 I also wrote for this (reason) – so that I would know you are worthy and whether you’re listening to everything. 10 I forgive anyone who you also forgive for anything. If I’ve forgiven anything, I’ve also forgiven it for your sakes in Christ’s presence, 11 so that Satan would gain no advantage, for we aren’t ignorant of his evil purposes.

Application
I can’t always come to people criticising and unhappy with their performance. From a purely logical perspective, if I make everyone I’m with sad and upset, who’s going to make me happy? If I’m habitually critical of my family, those I work with or others that I’m with often, then I can expect that they will bring me down too. I need to bring an attitude of encouragement and avoid those who consistently discourage me. God’s command is to rejoice, even in the midst of a crisis he says, “Rejoice, I say it again, Rejoice!” In every situation, rejoice! It’s God’s way.
On the other hand, if I have a responsibility for people, I need to bring correction, as Paul had done in his first letter to the Corinthian church. It just appears that not everyone was prepared to listen – hence Paul’s sadness. From this I see that I need to listen to what God is saying in correction and discipline and obey it. Ultimately, it will bring happiness. I also see that some people won’t listen, but it’s no use destroying them with the punishment I lay on them for not obeying. I need to learn to forgive and allow God to deal with people’s consciences on certain matters. Holding on to offences gives Satan a foothold and he has evil intentions that he will fulfil through any unforgiveness and bitterness that I choose to hold against others or even against myself or God.
Prayer
Father, please keep me free from unforgiveness, bitterness and criticism. Let your joy be my constant companion and please let me be a person who brings great encouragement and truth into every situation. God, I need your Spirit to do this and I ask that you will overflow me so that I am a blessing to everyone I make contact with through every form of media. Encourage my heart I pray,
IJN Amen

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