And the God of peace will be with you

Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. – 2 Corinthians 13v11

One can almost sense Paul’s spirit as we come to the end of this amazing letter. He knew that many in the church were holding on to their sins because he had a reputation of being tough in his letters, but gentle and compassionate when he was with them. Some of their sins were the wicked subtle sins of the heart; like gossip, backbiting, and backbiting. Some were still holding on to their perverse sexual sins. But all sins needed to be dealt with.

Paul wanted to come to them in peace and enjoy their fellowship. He wanted them to get theirs hearts and lives sorted out before he got there. He still warned them that if they did he would come and deal with them in the power of Christ. From what I am learning about Paul I don’t think I would have wanted to on the receiving end of his “sharpness.”

At the very end he appeals to them with tenderness (please pardon the parrowphrase) – “Farewell, get your act together, comfort each other, forget your petty differences, and live in peace.” Paul tells his friends at Corinth that if they do that – “The God of love and peace will be with you.”

I know that we are called on to contend for the faith. I know we are called on to expose error, but I think sometimes we are so fervent in those pursuits that we can forget to deal with our own sins, to comfort each other, and live in peace.

While we are doing what is right and proper in standing for truth, let’s just be sure that we don’t leave the other undone.