TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, your clocks keep perfect time. Forgive me for my impatience with you and help me to keep in step with the Spirit.
Read 2 CORINTHIANS 7:3-16
3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
5 For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.
In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Is there an area of your life that God is convicting you to change?Have you ever written a letter, or sent an email, then regretted it? Perhaps you said things you should not have; maybe you could have phrased things better. We live in a world of instant communication. Imagine what it was like when letters were delivered by hand and travel was slow. Receiving a response could take a long time.
Paul had written another letter after the one we know as 1 Corinthians, to the church he had founded in Corinth. In it he had criticized their behavior and called for change. As he was traveling around Macedonia (Acts 20:1–4), Paul is met by his friend Titus, who had delivered the stern letter. How had the church reacted to the criticisms it contained? Titus brought good news; the stern letter had had a good reception and the Corinthians expressed longing, sorrow and concern (v 7). How do you react if someone points out one of your faults? Denial? Anger? Self-justification? Or do you admit the problem and determine to change?
Paul contrasts ‘godly sorrow’ with ‘worldly sorrow’ (v 10). The former results in determination to live in a way which pleases God; the latter may be characterized by regret, but falls short of a change of life. Just as Paul had hoped, the Corinthians had impressed Titus with their readiness to put things right; he now writes to encourage and further challenge them.
Apply
Could you encourage someone with a letter, card, or email today?
Closing prayer
Father God, I want to embrace the truth that Jesus taught about peacemaking. I want to do the godly work of bringing the alienated together.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
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