Complaints and Forgiveness
Opening Prayer
Lord, when I find it hard to forgive, help me to remember the grace You have extended to me.
Read 2 Corinthians 1:23--2:11
[23] I call God as my witness-and I stake my life on it-that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. [24] Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. [1] So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. [2] For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? [3] I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. [4] For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. [5] If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent-not to put it too severely. [6] The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. [7] Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. [8] I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. [9] Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. [10] Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven-if there was anything to forgive-I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, [11] in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is the example Paul is leaving?Reading from Paul’s own defense in this letter, maybe he was considered unreliable and domineering when he visited the Corinthian church, upsetting people (1:23–2:2). Paul might be forgiven for giving them up as a grumpy bunch and far too sparing in their affections towards him. But he cannot, for these are his children in the faith, fellow workers for the Gospel, and he cannot let them go, even if they cause him heartache and tears (4). In our “church-hopping” age, where many jump ship at the slightest offence, such fierce loyalty and longing sounds foreign. We should not be surprised in Paul’s case, though, for here was a man who imitated Christ. Behind much of this distress was an individual, but (without naming the offender) Paul tactfully asks the church to now forgive him (7). The accusations of the majority are proving too hard to bear, and so now the time has come to forgive and assure him of the love of his brothers and sisters. Restoring the penitent is difficult, and often can be misconstrued as a lax attitude towards sin, but in the church of the forgiven, forgiveness must remain a way of life.
Apply
Take steps toward forgiveness and reconciliation wherever that need exists in your life.
Closing prayer
Jesus, thank You for Your forgiveness. I am willing to follow Your example.
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