2 Corinthians 7
1Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Paul's Joy
2Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3I 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. 4I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
5For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7and 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.
8Even 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— 9yet 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. 10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11See 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. 12So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13By 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. 14I 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. 15And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. 16I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.
2 comments:
2 Cor 7
Pretty cool to see how encouraging Paul is here. It was really neat to read this morning after talking to my brother last night and him saying something about not understanding why people are aloud to go through trials and tribulation, Verse 10 speaks directly to this.
Father God, I thank you for my brother and his renewed interest in You. Use me in whatever way you need to fulfill Your purpose in his life.
In Christ,
cas
2 Cor 7
8Even 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— 9yet 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.
Ahhh, yes. One of my favorite truths of Christianity. We are never intended to go through life without pain, nor can we sin freely without repercusion. Good ol' Conviction rather than Condemnation. When we discover, or admit that we have sinned, we are convicted, meaning that we feel guilty, bad, etc, but have an opportunity to repent, and right our role in the situation (in some cases). But by repenting, we are able to move past the sin. Without Christ, we are condemned by our sins, its game over from the beginning. As soon as we are born sons of Adam, we are sinners and cannot live to the letter of the law. So we can't get past sin. Only in Christ, are we convicted of our sin, get a chance to learn from it, and grow as believers.
God, thank you for convicting me recently, catching me doing something you didn't want me doing. But thank you more for allowing me to repent, set the situation right, and move forward, with a great deal of knowledge gained from the situation. Without the amazing gift of your Son, we are all without hope, because not one of us is free of sin, and none of us would get to join You in Your kingdom. Continue to convict us, helping us grow closer to the image you want us in, Lord.
Amen
crb
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