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Post by Admin on Sept 3, 2017 7:25:09 GMT -6
Study Begins: September 3, 2017
Discussion Begins: September 10, 2017
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1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Make room 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. |
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John R
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Post by John R on Sept 5, 2017 10:19:52 GMT -6
"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."
The Father promises to dwell with us if we leave our old lives (selves) behind. Over the past three or four months, the Holy Spirit has repeatedly emphasized to me, that Jesus Christ came to show mankind what it looks like to be fully human as God created us to be. After the Fall in the Garden of Eden, mankind slowly declined (because of sin) into the shadow of who he was created to be. God told the man if you eat from the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil in the middle of the garden, "you will surely die." (Gen. 2:17) He was correct in that mankind gradually aged and died physically and lost the power (Holy Spirit) to create, to heal, to live as Christ lived. Jesus came "that we might have life, and have to the full," John says (10:10); yes, even today, we may do greater things than Jesus himself did. (John 14:12) We don't however, largely because we have failed to repent and cleanse ourselves from every defilement, and fully grasp our holiness in Christ Jesus, fearing the Lord always.
Paul is telling us here as he did in Romans 1:29 to rid ourselves of "every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity.... of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice... of gossip, slander, hatred of God, insolence, arrogance and boastfulness... disobedience to parents; without understanding, fidelity, love, or mercy." (Romans 1: 29-31) When we do, fully embracing Christ's sacrifice for our redemption, dropping the pretense and the false-narrative of "posing as a Christian" rather than being one, then and only then will we be fully alive as Jesus promised.
Blessings!
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JB
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Post by JB on Sept 9, 2017 20:21:53 GMT -6
2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.
Paul and the Corinthian church had a rocky relationship because of a destructive element within their congregation. Here’s a montage of things he’s written in this letter about this: - “I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.” (1:23-2:4).
- “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.” (2:17)
- “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.” (3:1-2)
- “What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.” (5:11-13)
- “We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also.” (6:12-13).
And then here in 7:2-3 he wrote, “Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you…” Despite their challenges together, Paul is faithful to them, loves them, and asks for their love in return.
4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
He then turns the discussion positive – I’m proud of you, and you encourage me. I have nothing but unlimited joy because of you, despite our rocky relationship.
5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn--conflicts on the outside, fears 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 you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
Paul felt internal conflict and fear in the face of danger as we all do. What comforted him at those times? Receiving a positive report about a church he had established, developed, and loved. Remember in 1:4 when Paul said God “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God?” Well here that is in action! When Paul was downcast, God’s comfort came to him when Titus relayed how the Corinthians had comforted him – and that they longed for him with sorrow and concern. The comfort the Corinthians gave Titus, Titus passed it on to Paul. God’s comfort goes viral!
How To Encourage Repentance
8 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—9a yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry,
There are lessons throughout this chapter on how we should repent and on how we should work with another person (or group) who needs to repent. - First, he gently leaned the topic toward repentance by saying we need to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates the body and spirit. (7:1)
- Next, he endeared himself to them by asking them to make room in their hearts for him (7:2)
- Next he made sure they knew he wasn’t trying to condemn them and reassures his deep love for them and pride in them (7:3-4)
- He then talks about some very good things they’ve done and how proud he is if them (7:5-7)
- In the next section, he explains that hard words he had to say to them were difficult for him (he did regret them at first). He didn’t like causing them sorrow or hurting them (7:8)
- He now compliments them, letting them know that the agony his own words caused him by making them hurt were well worth it because they repented (7:8-10).
What was the first step here? It was Paul boldly saying things to the people he loved that he knew would hurt them and bring them sorrow. He didn’t know that it would lead to repentance at the time, he only knew that what needed to be said must be said regardless of the consequences. It caused him internal pain because of his deep live for them, but that could not be used to stop his forthright communication. How To Repent
9b 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. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
These Christians experienced sorrow, but they allowed that sorrow to do what God wanted it to do inside them – breed repentance. - At the very end of v. 9 he suggests that they could have just been “harmed” by his words, but they weren’t because they allowed it to work in them.
- If someone says something to you that is constructive but difficult, you have two choices – allow it to make you angry and pull away, or allow it to make you better and no regret.
11 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.
Look at the things Godly sorrow produced! - Earnestness
- Eagerness to show innocence
- Indignation
- Alarm
- Longing
- Concern
- Readiness to see justice done
These are changed people!
Q: How does this form of communication compare with our modern tastes?
Q: So what does all this say about the way we as Christians – as a church – should speak?
Q: And what does it say about how we should view direct, clear, communication rather than beating around the bush, softening our words, and embedding our message in fluff?
12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.
Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians that discussed someone doing wrong to another purpose. But he didn’t write the letter because of the offender nor the offended. He wrote it for the sake of the rest of the church. He first mentioned the previous letter in 2 Cor 2:1-6, “ 1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. 5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent--not to put it too severely. 6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him.” There he emphasized his motivation in sending the letter: to avoid being distressed by them (v. 3) and to help them realize the depth of his love for them ( v. 4). He adds another motive here in 7:12 - to help them see their own love (literally “eagerness”) for him. Ultimately, Paul is pleased with the result of the letter – they demonstrated their love, they learned their lesson, they made the necessary changes, and they showed themselves to be faithful and pliable when Titus visited (Paul had bragged them up). |
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john
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Post by john on Sept 11, 2017 11:52:00 GMT -6
Q: How does this form of communication compare with our modern tastes?
Wow! Can you imagine? Today, it seems we have lost our ability to engage in "constructive criticism." A letter such as Paul's to a body of believers (today: maybe an email, Podcast, Video Stream or in person by sermon) would likely offend and enrage most "believers." In our narcissistic (self-absorbed) culture, it is difficult to discuss the topics of repentance and judgement. Correcting believers or receiving correction has virtually ceased. Biblical understanding is sparse and alluding to any form "correction," as set forth in Paul's letters to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Timothy etc. would be seen as offensive and like would lead to a church split as did the issue of ordination of gay clergy and gay marriage. Believers, today, are not willing to make lifestyle changes that are inconvenient or painful even if it is what God requires.
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john
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Post by john on Sept 11, 2017 11:59:27 GMT -6
Q: So what does all this say about the way we as Christians – as a church – should speak?
Difficult conversations must continue, despite the sensitive nature of the topic and the thin skin of today's recipients. I want to know what the bible says about my behavior and if a brother and sister in the Lord sees something that I am doing that falls short of His standard, I want to know. I believe, God will hold us accountable to Him for letting our fellow believers continue in sin if we had the opportunity to say something. We must speak the truth in love and let the chip's fall where they may. In the long run and with God's grace, I believe the recipients will see it as God sees it over time.
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john
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Post by john on Sept 11, 2017 12:36:16 GMT -6
Q: And what does it say about how we should view direct, clear, communication rather than beating around the bush, softening our words, and embedding our message in fluff?
I believe it calls for building each other up, speaking the truth in love but being direct without "fear."
Blessings!
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