The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, August 3, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
TOPIC: BE AN ADVOCATE OF RECONCILIATION
TEXT: 2 Corinthians 2:1-13
1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2:2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. 6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Wednesday, August 3, 2022
INTRODUCTION TEXT
In this passage, Paul recalls his sorrowful letter to the Corinthians. He reminds them that he intended to provoke them to repentance and conversion through his letter. It was not to cause them pain, but to let them know of his love for them (vv. 1-4). He also asked them to forgive the member of the Church whom they had punished for some serious offences. He wanted them to restore such a person, thus exercising the ministry of reconciliation. According to him, by so doing, Satan would not have opportunity to exploit the Church (vv. 5-11) Paul further maximised every opportunity he had to preach Christ, even when his expectation was not met; he moved forward from place to place (vv. 12-13).
Christians are to learn a great lesson from Paul's ministry as an advocate of reconciliation. We should desire to bridge the contact between parties in the body of Christ. While we condone discipline, effort should be made to restore such a member after genuine repentance. Forgiveness and repentance should also be our watchword; this will bring comfort among brethren and Christ's kingdom would be greatly expanded here on earth.
Prayer: Teach your Church, O Lord, to uphold the ministry of reconciliation, so that we may enjoy the fellowship of the brethren through Jesus Christ. Amen.