For edification

For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction. – 2 Corinthians 13.9-10

Paul’s desire for the churches he worked with was that they would be mature and complete as they grew in their faith. Growing up often brings growing pains.

Paul is clear – what we need is to just grow up. Growing up is not easy. It is full of hard times and tough lessons. We often complain about the trials of growing up, but we really can’t grow strong without them.

Paul defended his sharp language in dealing with the Corinthians. God gave Paul to edify, not destroy – but unless the Christians learn to grow up they will never be what God wants them to be. He saw the sense of putting things down in a letter because he was afraid in person he would be too angry. He could choose his words carefully.

That also tell me how important it is that we carefully choose our words to edify and not destroy. Paul says that he was given to edify. The reality is that we all are given for the same reason.

Tearing down is easy and it just seems to happen naturally. Those tearing down words just slip out. Edifying words take work, but they are are worth it.

Examine yourselves

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. – 2 Corinthians 13.5

 Recently at Zeke and Chelsy’s rehearsal dinner we were talking about various things, as you do, and the topic of health issues and  and check-ups and things like that came up. A lot of times we, especially us men, don’t like the whole concept of physicals and check-ups. After all, something might be wrong and who wants to know that?

That’s stupid – no doubt about it. We foolishly put our lives at risk out of fear of what might be wrong. I once an a relatively minor health issue that could have been easliy dealt with, but I was afraid it might be cancer so wouldn’t go to the doctor. Though minor it required surgery before I dealt with it.

Paul makes a spiritual application of that same kind of need – examine yourselves to make sure you are in the faith.

Self examination, physical and spiritual, only makes sense. We should of course check ourselves out daily to see how we are doing. Our daily devotions are a chance for us to compare ourselves to what God is looking for.

But God gave us a special gift when He gave us the Lord’s Table. The Table gives is a perfect opportunity to, as an old preacher said, keep short accounts with God. When we go to the Table we are instructed to examine ourselves before we partake. That gives us a regular, in our church weekly, opportunity to carefully examine our lives.

Examining ourselves is really being like David and saying ‘search me O God, and know my heart.’ Are we willing to pray that prayer?

Crucified in weakness

For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. – 2 Corinthians 13.4

There is no more dreadful image of weakness than a man hanging on a cross. He hangs there, nailed hands and feet pierced with nails with no chance to escape. As the hours pass he weakens. He lifts himself on nail pierced feet to try and and relief for his laboured breathing. He is in constant pain and can’t get relief and there is only one result.

This is the image Paul uses to illustrate weakness. Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords, hanging in pain and weakness.

But now He lives and reigns in power.

Paul says that this is what happens when we are weak in Christ. We yield our power to His power so that we have he power of God working in us.

Why must we keep on trying in our own weakness when we have all the power of God to help us in our trials? The sooner we realise that it is God’s strength, not our strength, that will get us through the sooner we can grow and the sooner we can be useful in God’s service.

Jesus was crucified in weak to live in the power of God.

As were crucified with Christ we too can live in His power. This is the power of the cross.

For your edification

Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced. 2 Corinthians 12.19-21

Ministerial jealousy has always been a problem.  When Paul came on the scene he came on like gangbusters and he shook up the religious scene. In that way he emulated his Master. They both broke the norms – and for both that caused problems. Others cast false aspersions on Him, so he needed to make something clear.

He was willing to go though all of this for the chance to edify his fellow believers. I look at all he went through in order to edify and I wonder how much I do to edify others. How often am I driven by a desire to build up my brother and sister in Christ?

I think it may be said that if we could summarise our job as to glorify God and edify each other. It is interesting that that really fits in with the whole concept that we are to love God and love others.

When I am with my fellow beleivers I must always strive to be a builder-upper and never ever a tearer-downer. Sometimes it requires loving correction, but my heart must always be to help and support.

Spend and be spent

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. – 2 Corinthians 12.15

I truly understand why people might have a problem with this if it were not in the Bible. It sounds like a recipe for weariness and exhaustion and depression and burnout. It sounds like the kind of thing that could drive a pastor to wreck his body and soul.

I do understand and I agree 100% that we need to take precautions against that kind of thing happening. We need to take our breaks and go apart for a time and exercise and eat healthy and all those things. Our bodies, after all, are the temples of the Holy Spirit.

We also need to be aware of the need for balance. It is possible to use the need for rest as an excuse for giving less than our all. We do need to be willing to give it all for God and for others. We can’t do that with recklessness over our health – but we also can’t do it with laziness and lethargy.

It’s a matter of willingness and attitude. Al I willing to give my all for Jesus even when the task gets tough.

Strength in weakness

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12.7-10

Paul’s thorn in the flesh has always been a topic for discussion. We have no idea what it was – but we do know why it was.

Paul was given this thorn in the flesh that he might know the power of Christ working in him. His thorn was to keep him humble. He thorn was to teach him reliance on God.

One of the blessings of all the trials that we have been through, and are going through, and wil go through, is that we learn through them that we just can’t do it the next time a trial comes. What that does is that it should help us when the next trial comes.

God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. It shows Him strong and teaches us that His strength is our strength so let’s be sure that we rejoice when we see God strong.

Paul defends his ministry

From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. – 2 Corinthians 11.24-28

It’s a tough thing when we have to defend our ministries. The problem is that people can see it as us bragging or commending ourselves.

Paul faced the same dilemma. That much is obvious by his words to the Corinthians. Other were out there who were trying to destroy Paul’s work because they were jealous or because they really hated the fact that Gentiles were being saved, so they just condemned Paul.

Paul was compelled to defend the the ministry God had given him. He knew that the gospel had to spread to the Gentiles.

So Paul explained all that he had been through was in order to see Gentiles saved. His life and his comforts and social position and power as a Jewish leader meant nothing if he could not see the salvation of Gentiles. While others hated the fact that Gentiles got what I am sure they considered ‘cheap salvation’ Paul would do all he could to see God’s kingdom built.

All of the opposition was worth it. The arrests, the beatings, and all the perils of his life would be worth is all to see the gospel open to th he whole world.

The question I need to ask is if it is worth when I go through trials and difficulties to reach others with the gospel. His ministry was worth defending? Is mine?

Don't be deceived

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! – 2 Corinthians 11.3-4

Paul had a fear for the people in Corinth. He knew that people were liable to deception – after all, Eve, before the Fall, was deceived. People are, as the hymn puts it, ‘prone to wander.’ All of us can be like children with our eyes turned aside by the theological beads and baubles.

There is only one way to avoid being deceived. We are not going to do that through the world’s wisdom or by anything else. The only grounding that will truly ground us is the faithful study and obedience to the word of God.

When we think back to Eve we can see the tools Satan uses to try and deceive us. We corrupts the word of God. He questions God. He appeals to the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. He doesn’t try to attract us with ugly stuff. He appeared as an angel of flight just like false teachers today.

We have a simple gospel – don’t let Satan complicate it.

Self commendation

But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. – 2 Corinthians 10.17-18

‘Self praise is no praise,’ is an old saying that we don’t seem to think about. We live in a culture full of politicians and pop stars and even preachers who seem almost driven by praise for themselves. Paul was trying to defend his ministry without giving himself self-praise.

This had to remind the Corinthians of what Paul had written previously when he talked about how God rarely used the ones that we think he should use. He rarely uses the great or the wise or the noble or the prestigious to do His work. God uses the weak and the foolish things of this world to confound and defeat the wise so that He may be glorified.

It is too easy to ‘think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think.’ Instead we ought to take heed that we not to think we stand, lest we fall.

Self-commendation is simply pride manifested. Let’s seek only God’s commendation instead of the praise of men.

Comparing ourselves

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. – 2 Corinthians 10.12

It is easy to get into the practice of comparing ourselves to others. How else are we going to know if we are being successful or not? I can well remember days when churches and their pastored competed to see who had the most baptisms or professions or people in Sunday School and the results were published in a newspaper like sports rankings.

Paul must have fought the same battle. It may have seemed that those who opposed them, and we know they were out there, were more popular or more successful than he was. He had to wonder why.

He soon came to realise that we achieve nothing by comparing ourselves with others. There is one example we must strive to emulate. The only standard we can compare ourselves to is Christ Himself.

That’s not as easy as it sounds. Comparing myself to Christ takes faith, comparing myself with other men only takes the flesh. It is easy to see their ‘success’ and wonder why my efforts seem so feeble.

When we compare ourselves to others one of two things is going to happen. Either we are not going measure up and we are going to be defeated or we are going to be content that we are not as bad as somebody else.

But we compare ourselves to Christ we have a perfect standard that we know we will never achieve but ought to strive for day after day after day.

It really is not about others and how they serve God – we need to examine ourselves and see how we match up to God’s standard for us. One day we all want to hear ‘well done thou good and faithful servant.’

Every thought captive

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; - 2 Corinthians 10.3-5

The real battle for us is based on the battle for our minds. Everything we do comes from our minds so if our minds are not right nothing else is going to be right.

They are a few key elements to winning that battle for the mind. One is the ‘think on these things’ passage from Philippians. Think about things that are pure and honourable and holy and just and lovely.

But here is a consummate phrase – bring every one of your thoughts into captivity to the mind of Christ.

I know there are times when my mind can just go crazy. Stuff seems to come from nowhere to infect my mind. Wrong, befuddled, confused, sensual, vengeful, and selfish thoughts can dominate my mind and if I am not careful I am capable of acting on them. If I do the battle is over and I have lost.

We can only win the warfare we are in with the mind of Christ. Our thoughts must be controlled by what He would do in the situation. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal – instead they are controlled by the mind of Christ.

Our warfare

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; - 2 Corinthians 10.3-5

There is not doubt at all that we are in a massive battle. Some Christians around the world have always known this battle. We in the West are just learning it. We have had culture and society ‘on our side’ for a while now.

It is easy to think that the way to win this fight is to use the same tactics that the world using. We think our battle is a carnal battle so we try to fight it with carnal weapons. We try to use the weapons and the tools of this world.

The problem is that the world is much, much better at using those tools. We can’t fight on their level.

We, though, fight the fight in the power of almighty God which can pull down the world’s strongholds by fighting the spiritual battle instead. It is a spiritual warfare which is at the root of all the carnal warfare that goes on everywhere. Man’s sin nature is not going to be checked by carnal methods. The world needs the wonderful gospel of Christ.

We have the gospel. We have the message the world needs. We have the truth that will win the victory. Our battle cry is love. We don’t fight against the men trapped in sin – we fight the one who holds them captive. Our sword is the word of God.

And the victory has been won.

His unspeakable gift

And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. – 2 Corinthians 9.14-15

Paul is about to move on from his lengthy teaching on the importance of giving. He ends the section with a very clear point to drive his point home.

Paul sets the example of God’s unspeakable gift to us. Jesus did not hold back. He did not think He needed to hold on to all the glory of heaven. Became a man and took on the form of a servant. Jesus knew that His eventual fate was death on the cross – and still He gave it all up for us.

How can any gift we give ever hope to compare to that? God gave us an unspeakable, unsearchable, incomprehensible, and incomparable gift?

We can’t – but we can examine our hearts in regard to giving. Are we willing to give up any of our creature comforts for Christ and His church? Do we really need the newest car or the fanciest house or the newest technology when God’s work goes undone?

Purposefully giving

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. – 2 Corinthians 9.6-9 

Let every man give according to his own heart
Don’t give grudgingly
Gives cheerfully
God will allow your grace to abound

There it is, all laid out in front of us. Giving is not something to be taken lightly It is something we pray about and think about and then purpose in our heart to do.

But I think the next point is the most important – we don’t give grudgingly. We don’t give because we feel compelled. We give cheerfully and delightfully. When our hearts are right and we consider all that is done for us and remember that will supply our need it turns us from begrudges to joyous givers. After all – we get to be a part of God’s great work. What cause could be more worth our giving?

Sowing and reaping

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. – 2 Corinthians 9.6-9

You reap what you sow. That’s a simple little statement that some have taken and built an entire false gospel of prosperity. Some folks take this and say that the way to get loads of money is to give. If we do that God is compelled to make us rich.

That’s not how it works. Giving is not a get rich quick scheme.

We can trust though that we can give and not fret because God will take care of us. God wants us to be a simple channel of blessing. It is exciting because we get to be a part of God doing His work. God says that if we give He will give to us that that we can give again. We get to partner with him in the marvellous grace of giving! It is the one grace that far too many of God’s people miss out on. Instead of rejoicing the grace of giving we too often think of how little we ‘have’ to give.

Paul wanted the Christians to enjoy all the blessings of the grace of giving. How many of us are revelling in that amazing grace that allows us to watch God give to us to allow us to give to others?

Zealous giving

For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. – 2 Corinthians 9.1-2

Excitement is contagious. We all know that. When we are around people who are excited about something we tend to get excited as well. Paul’s readers had been excited about their giving and Paul was able to share their zeal with others.

It is obvious that giving is not to be the drudgery that we often take it to be. If we were really dedicated to the Lord and others we would be excited to see what God can do with our giving. Those who give ought to be excited about how God blesses our giving.

If just a few people in the church could catch the joy of giving and get excited about how Gd works things out that zeal would pass on to others. As they learned how giving works others would catch on and there would never be a lack.

It is really pretty simple. Givers ought to be excited about giving and when we are others will cop on to our joy.

Are we infectious givers?

Giving and love

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.   Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.   Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. 2 Corinthians 8:22-24

Let everything be done in love. Let the love of Christ motivate you. Love the brethren. Love God and love others.  The greatest of these is love.

How do we prove our love?

In this case we prove our love by our willingness to give. Not coincidentally, I think, there is another time when we see love and money in the same context. ‘The love of money is the root of all evil.’

We can’t love God and our stuff at the same time. If we love God and others we have no problem giving to God and His work. If we love money we won’t give it away.

So we can prove our love in a real and tanglible way – we prove our love by giving of ourselves to others. In this context we prove our love by getting out our wallets and giving to God’s work.

If our giving is an indication of our love, how are we loving?

Honesty

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. – 2 Corinthians 8.21

‘Honesty is the best policy’ we read. Honesty is so powerful because wrapped in honesty are things like truthfulness and purity and lack of deceipt and no hypocrisy and trustworthiness.

The context here is giving, but Paul makes a very clear comment here about a vital Christian trait. He says be honest in all things, not only before God, but also before men. If we are not honest in all things how are people going to trust us about anything?

We ought to be very careful when it some to money. We ought to set plenty of guards and protections against accusation when dealing with financial matters. Paul made sure that when money was an issue there was plenty of accountability. They were concerned about being open and accountable and honest and honourable

We do well today to do the same. It is important that our churches make sure that everything dealing with being is open and above board so that no one can accuse us of impropriety. People need to know that when we give our money is being used for God’s work and His glory.

Willing and doing

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. – 2 Corinthians 8.10-12

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. That’s a key element of our Christian living. It is easy to talk about something and to be ready to do and to have all the best intentions and be well meaning. All that is well and good.

But all of that falls short without one thing. It is all meaningless unless there is a doing. The proof of the willingness is in the doing.

It is great to talk about giving. It is great to be ready to give.

When it comes right down to it though it all means nothing unless there is a doing. Wanting to give, desiring to give, and planning to give son’t do a whole lot of good unless we actually put the money in the plate. As long as our money is in our pockets it is not to going to pay the church bills or help the poor or support the pastor or missionaries or anything.

A willing mind – a ready mind – a touched heart - don’t mean anything unless there is a giving hand.

Jesus' example of giving

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. – 2 Corinthians 8.8-9

Maybe we need an example? Maybe we need something to compare our giving to? Maybe we need a goal?

Obviously we are not to compare our giving to other’s giving.

How’s this for an example? Jesus had all the riches of heaven. He gave it all up to take on the form of man and go to the cross so that we might enjoy the riches of glory.

Jesus pattern of giving was that He gave His all. Though He was God he did not see His godhood as something to hold on, but he took on flesh and the form of a servant. He gave up all the glories of heaven to provide the riches of heaven for us.

Mary and I have always believed in giving and we have always given – but I am challanged by this example. With this pattern of giving how am I doing?

Grace to give

Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. – 2 Corinthians 8.7

The Macedonians were a special people. Their testimony was that they abounded in everything – in faith and is speaking and knowledge and in diligence and in their love for Paul.

These folks were not just doing the minimum. They were not just average. They abounded in other aspects of their lives – and they also abounded in the grace of giving.

What really sticks out to me though is that this is called the ‘grace of giving.’ Giving is a grace, not a burden. We cannot summon up giving – we can give and we ought to give by the grace of God. It all depends on Him.

God’s grace saved us. God’s grace gives us the power we need to live in this world. God’s grace allows us to endure. God’s grace allows us to share His word.

And God’s grace gives us the power to give.

They gave themselves

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. – 2 Corinthians 8.5

What is the key to giving? What do we need to get right so that giving, in fact so that everything else falls into place?

Something must come first. It is the same thing Paul wrote in Romans 12.1-2 – ‘I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice.’

Before we can give anything, before we can do anything, it is vital that place our lives on God’s altar and in His hands. When we learn to give oursleves to the Lord everything else is possible. When we learn to trust Him enough to give Him our all He is then able to use us.

The problem is that everything about us rebels against giving ourselves without reservation to anyone. It is hard to really let go and submit ourselves to someone’s control.

As we see a couple of verse later Jesus gave His all for us. Since that is the case how can we fail to give ourselves to Him?

Poverty and giving

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. – 2 Corinthians 8.1-4

No church was a poor as the Macedonians. They had nothing – and yet, when they heard there was a need we find out that they opened their hearts to give to meet the needs. In fact, they begged Paul and the team to take their money.

How do people give out of poverty? How do you give when you have nothing, or it seems like you have nothing?

As we saw yesterday they thrived because of joy. That joy of the Lord gave them a whole new spirit about them. That joy gave them the ability to rise up out of their poverty and give with joyous hearts. They gave beyond their own power to give and they even begged Paul to take more.

I can’t even imagine that kind of giving. Getting people to give can be like pulling eye teeth. But these folks were giving more than they could give and we more than overjoyed to do it.

I have to ask myself if that is my attitude toward giving. Do I give that way when I see a need? Do I drop money in the offering with joy and excitement? How is my attitude of giving?

Joy that works

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. – 2 Corinthians 8.1-4

Paul now moves on to some practical lessons that the church needs to hear.

He starts with an issue that is probably not the thing a whole lot of folks like to hear about. It seems like an awful like of folks cringe at the prospect of hearing about giving.

Here Paul addresses the Macedonian beleivers. They were in deep trials and affliction. I’m not sure what the problem was, but things were tough. They though had learned Paul’s lesson of joy in trials.

Their joy was real joy because their joy worked. It wasn’t just a forced ‘well, praise the Lord anyway.’ True joy, that kind of joy that produces giving in real and from the heart. The joy of the Lord is the strength in our hearts to give to others and not think about ourselves.

How does the joy of the Lord look in our lives? Does it produce the fruit of giving because we find so much joy in obeying God?

I believe in you

Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things. – 2 Corinthians 7.13-16

There are so many little things in this passage that are a blessing. Tucked away here are words of great comfort that Paul shares with the Corinthians just before he moves on to some practical instruction for the church. The lessons they have learned will lead on to something more.

Part of Paul’s encouragement are the blessed words that can mean so much to anyone. He wrote ‘I have confidence in you in all things.’ Today we might very well say the same thing with ‘I believe in you.’

Sometimes all people need to succeed or do what is needed or to get through a struggle or overcome and obstacle is just someone to believe in them. Perhaps it is a child or a student or a struggling friend in someone at church who needs just that word of encouragement.

You can do it. I’ll be praying. I believe in you.

Loving correction

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. – 2 Corinthians 7.11-12

Paul points out all the good that was done through his correction. The correction was not done primarily for the one affected or by ones doing wrong, though that was also accomplished.

What Paul really wanted was that they would repent and that Paul’s love for them might be known. Dealing with sin can seem like an only bad thing and something to avoid at all cost. Instead of that we ought to see that as an opportunity to prove the love of God and love for each other.

Like everything else it is the love of God which is to motivate us and and manifesting His love ought to be a major part of everything we do. Paul will also write the Corinthians that they are to do everything in love.

The challenge here for us is for us to stop and consider not only what our goal is in dealing a brother’s sin but what our motivation is. If it is to make him look bad or us look good than we fail.

The only motivation should be to lovingly help him correct his sin and follow the Lord.

Let everything be done in love – even dealing with sin.

Correction and sorrow

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. – 2 Corinthians 7.8-10

I am sure that Paul’s deeply correcting first letter to Corinth mush have causes some discomfort. Correcting and being corrected is never easy for either.  The old saying ‘this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you’ has a lot of truth.

Paul obviously felt some regret for the words he had to say. Trying to point out another’s sin is always tough, mostly because we know that we are sinners who need correction. The old ‘mote v beam’ concept comes to mind. How can I correct someone else when I see the sin in my own life?

Paul knew that there was a great goal in mind. He knew that sorrow was worth bearing if it brought about true repentance. His sorrow in correcting the Corinthians and their sorrow in being corrected would be worth it all if they would repent of their sin and move on.

That is how we must see loving and Bibilcal correction whether we are the one who must confront someone or we are the one being confronted. It might hurt our pride for the moment, but if brings about correction the joy is far greater than the sorrow.

Comfort by the coming of Titus

For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.   Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 2 Corinthians 7:5-6

Macedonia had not been once to Paul and his team.

No rest

Troubles on every side

Fightings within

Fears without

I think most of us might have felt that way at times. It seems like nothing is falling into place. We are tired, surrounded by trouble, we are at war with our flesh, and fears surround us. 

This reminds me of David in Psalm 13. I preached this recently and was moved by David’s cry of ‘how long?’ while in the midst of his fears and anxieties. David felt, like we often fail, to make sense of the trials. He was tired of his problems and surrounded by problems. 

But God delivered them by the comfort that Titus brought to them. 

There is nothing like those wonderful words of comfort from a loved brother or sister in Christ when things are tough. It doesn’t take much, especially today. It can be as simple as a Facebook post or a text or an e-card that God can use to give us that boost we need. 

To me though there is nothing quite like seeing someone you love who is willing to give us a big hug and tell us that they care and that they are here. Somehow when someone comes alongside and assures me that we can get through it everything seems better. 

We can’t always be there to give a physical hug and some folks are not hug people, but we can still make that phone call or test or tweet or post, or send that card or letter to  give the word of comfort that God might use to lift their hearts. 

Joyful in tribulation

Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.   I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.   Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 2 Corinthians 7:2-4

One of the many things I love about the Bible is how it shows us our heroes as real fallible people who go through the same struggles as we do. After struggling with the depth of his struggles and battles he is able to say that he finds glory in how it had worked for the Corinthians. His struggles and how God brought him through them encouraged the Corinthians that God could do the same for them.

I love the consistancy of God’s word. Here Paul talks about having ‘exceeding joy in his tribulation’ and James writes ‘count it as all joy when you fall into various kinds of trials.’

At first glance this seems just plain crazy. Not only are trials to be endured, but we are supposed to find great joy in them.

There are a lot of reasons to find joy in tribulations. Experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit, finding God’s comfort during trials, learning patience, seeing growth and maturity, and many other blessings are the results of trials.

Joy in trials – its all a matter of perspective.

Perfecting holiness

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

Living holy lives does not seem to be much of a big deal these days. One reason I like some of the great Puritan writers is because so many of them focused on holiness. Holiness is a concept that seems to have been lost, in many cases, in an attempt to exercise liberty or be popular or reach to reach out to and appeal to the world.

But the Bible still says ‘be ye holy as I am holy.’ God desires holiness – if it was not clear enough the writerof Hebrews writes ‘pursue peace with men, and holiness, without no one can see the Lord.’

This is a natural follow on to the previous verse on separation. They spell out what makes the difference in coming out from the world. The surest way to be different and to be separate is to be holy.

It is sad to see Christians, including myself, see what we can get away with instead of seeing holiness as our goal. Of course, we we all declared holy at salvation with all the holiness of Christ. When it comes to eternity our holiness is sealed. They day is coming when we will we will get to enjoy all the blessings of our holiness while we get to heaven.

In the meantime though is this challenge for everyday practical, or a perfecting, holiness in our lives. There is a holiness that we must be practicing. We, ourselves, are called on to live day by day by day choosing the holy instead of the unholy. Being holy means that we live lives that are separated from the ways of the world and separated unto the Lord. Those around me ought to see holiness manifested in our lives. That is what is going to make the difference. Some Christians think that we can draw people by acting like them. ‘I’m a Christian, but look, I am just like you’ is not going to help people see Jesus in us.

Holiness is not a put on, better than you, man-made piety – it is living for and living like Jesus to draw others to Him.