SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 7:8-12
“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—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. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 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. 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.”
OBSERVATION
In this passage, we see the Apostle Paul referring to a previous letter that he sent to the Corinthian Church that was correcting their behavior. Biblical scholars debate whether Paul is talking about the Epistle of 1 Corinthians or another letter that he sent to them. In the Epistle of 1 Corinthians, we know that the Church of Corinth had problems that Paul addressed to them such as his apostolic authority, division in the church, sexual immorality, lawsuits between Believers, abuses of spiritual gifts, order in the church and matters dealing with the conscience. In this passage, Paul is displaying his love and concern for their spiritual well-being which was there the whole time. Some may have taken it harshly, but Paul’s motivate for correction was to not allow them to live in sin. This passage shows Paul’s joy for their repentance.
APPLICATION
Giving correction and receiving correction can be hard to swallow. Both perspectives require some sort of maturity when the matter is addressed, but most importantly, it requires love. A Believer who corrects another Believer should address sin like it is a life or death situation; which it is. As Pastor Levi in his sermon referenced James 1:15: “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death”. Certain sins may not bring immediate death (others certainly can), but all sin brings spiritual death and separation from God. A Believer who is getting corrected should look at it from that point of view and not feel attacked when someone corrects their behavior, especially if it is coming from a place a love and concern for their well-being. As Paul mentioned in verse 10 that godly sorrow leads to repentance, and that leads to salvation. This is one of the reasons why Christ gave us The Holy Spirit, His Word and placed people in our lives to help us on our journey for spiritual guidance and for us to help others on this same journey.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we thank You for guiding us with Your Word and other believers. Holy Spirit, we thank You for Your guidance and protection from the things that can easily beset us. Lord, I ask You to search my heart. Give me the courage to correct where I need to correct and take correction where it needs to be addressed. Help me to lay aside my pride and follow the leading to Your voice, Amen.
- Darrence Hamilton
