Discipline
2 Corinthians 2:1-11
Memory Verse: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 1 Corinthians 3:17
One of the most difficult decisions Christians face is how to approach conflict. The Scripture is very plain when it comes to confronting issues among brothers. It teaches us that expedience is preferred to delay and delay often prohibits progress in the spread of the Gospel. In the time leading up to the writing of this epistle, Paul had struggled in his decision of whether to again visit the Corinthians and become personally involved in the matter of church discipline at hand. He finally decided to let the church handle the issue in his absence as he believed he would be a greater hindrance than a help. He gave them written instructions and waited. How glorious he must have embraced the news when he learned of the outcome. Church discipline had been exercised with great success.
Due to his great love for this church, Paul felt it necessary to take one more step in the reconciliation process in giving the Corinthians an exhortation to forgive. In our reading for today he states three obvious reasons; 1) for the benefit of the sinning brother, 2) for the benefit of the Gospel, and 3) for the benefit of the church. Each of the three has striking consequences. If the brother goes unforgiven then the discipline was of ill motive. The lack of forgiveness among brothers destroys the testimony of Christ working in them.
Finally, the lack of forgiveness among the church would serve as an internal cancer to destroy the fellowship from within and hinder her witness on the outside.
This matter of forgiveness is not to be taken lightly. As you approach the Lord in prayer today, ask God to search your heart. Is there a matter that you need to gain the forgiveness of others? Is there a matter in which you need to grant forgiveness? For the sake of the brother, the testimony of God’s work, and for the sake of the fellowship of the church, forgive in this moment. May God protect our fellowship and grant forgiveness today.
Reflection
What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?
What did I say to God?
