The Community of Suffrage
1 Corinthians 1:1-7
Memory Verse: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 1 Corinthians 3:17
Several years ago, a presidential candidate used the phrase “I feel your pain” in a stump speech. In the intimacy of the moment with the gathered crowd, the phrase found acceptance and the candidate gained favor because he was believed. When a recording of the statement made its way onto national TV and radio it had the opposite effect. Non supporters of this candidate mocked him and said there is no way this politician could feel their pain.
As you read the Scripture text for our daily reading today, key in on the Apostle Paul’s emphasis on his connection to the community of faith at Corinth. This is the second letter of the Bible he has sent to this church and scholars believe there was an additional letter preceding both. You can discern from the tone of the first and in parts of the second that not everyone in Corinth was on great terms with Paul. Even so, he reaches out with a carrot and while standing firm on the truth of God’s Word, he seeks personal reconciliation.
Although 2 Corinthians is not a theological treatise God’s purpose in conflicts and trials, it does offer some wisdom and insight on the subject. It is probable Paul is running on two tracks as he introduces this epistle. One is the track of suffering due to his ministry elsewhere. He notes in other places of shipwrecks and beatings. We know he was imprisoned and beaten with a cat of nine tails. The second track was that of suffering within the body of Christ and in particular the discord between him and some members of the Corinthian church. This discord brought him pain. With that I can concur. Some of the greatest pain in the lives of American believers often comes in disagreements within a church family. Notice the sharing of suffering as Paul outlines it in this chapter. One suffers so another may be comforted. How often does that ring true? I am comforted by the suffering of others and they are comforted by my suffering. That is how it works in God’s economy.
Application of the principles of suffering is very clear in the Scripture. We are to use life’s difficult experiences to assist in bringing comfort to others. If there is pain within the fellowship of a congregation, the members are to seek resolution. I almost wrote immediate resolution and then pulled back. Yes we should quickly seek resolution with brothers and sisters in Christ, but often God has to quicken and change hearts before resolution can take place.
As you enter your prayer time with the Lord ask Him to help bring reconciliation with any fellow believer that might be causing affliction in their life or your life. Let us seek reconciliation with brothers and therefore reconciliation with the Father. You might also want to ask the Lord to help you minister comfort to others out of the afflictions you have experienced in your life to date.
Reflection
What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?
What did I say to God?
