March 31, 2014
THE SWEETNESS OF CORRECTION
2 Corinthians 7
Laura Harris
Central Truth
"Calling someone out." "Accountability." "Presenting the truth in love." Whatever you want to call it, speaking the truth to others when they've clearly gone against Scripture ain't easy, people. In this chapter we see an example of how to manage a hard conversation well. It is a difficult task to lovingly hold someone accountable!
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
2 Corinthians 7
1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body 1 7:1 Greek flesh and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Paul's Joy
2 Make room in your hearts 2 7:2 Greek lacks in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. 13 Therefore we are comforted.
And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.
Dive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 7
While growing up in my home, consequences for actions came quickly and were rarely arbitrary. Since my dad was typically the disciplinarian, I would wait for him to get home from work, always holding out for the chance that he might actually forget. I bet you can guess how many times that happened. I knew that hope was out the window when he would call me aside, explain what I did wrong and why discipline was necessary. Afterward, he would hold me close and say, "I love you, and it hurts me to have to punish you, but I do it because I love you."
In 2 Corinthians 7, we see Paul as the disciplinarian. The Corinthian church was guilty of sin so Paul called them out on it in his first letter to the Corinthians. We see that it hurt him to do so (2 Corinthians 7:8), but the outcome made it worthwhile. The church he confronted repented of its ways and responded in earnestness. The members were eager to make it right and indignant at those who spread lies. They felt alarmed and concerned, ready to see justice done. Boom!
In my dad's sweet, gentle example, there's a key design: love both precedes and follows the discipline. If instead of being followed by his love, my father's punishments were followed by his anger, control, and a quick temper for the rest of the week, then wouldn't the punishment be received in a totally different way? Love and rebuke go hand in hand.
Why does it matter? Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." If I'm honest, I sometimes find it easier to call someone out in a sarcastic way or even in frustration than I do to speak gently in such a way that results in spiritual reconciliation. Loving those in your life exceedingly well is ultimately about pointing them to Christ so that the way we interact with others would lead to a "harvest of righteousness and peace."
Discussion Questions
1. In what areas of your life do you need more accountability? Have you prayed for a heart of repentance lately?
2. Read Proverbs 27:5-6 and consider your friendships. Would your friends say you are a faithful friend, or one who flatters and pleases?
3. Do you need to have a tough conversation? Read through the Watermark Conflict Guide first for a step-by-step approach to applying Scripture (http://www.watermark.org/fileadmin/pdfs/conflict_field_guide_web.pdf). Then, trust the Lord for courage, wisdom, and love as you proceed.