Building up Christ’s followers
Scripture reading for August 13: 2 Corinthians 12
“Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish–that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.” 2 Corinthians 12:19-21
Pastoral ministry, like prophetic ministry, is for the edification and exhortation of the church. The goal is to see Christ’s body strengthened through a life of holiness, worship, and obedient witness. Pastoral ministry involves prayer and correction of those in willful sin. Paul understood his calling as an apostle and pastor to see the church built up and walking in love. He spoke to them plainly and lovingly, calling them ‘beloved.’ He was mourning over them in prayer even as he wrote this letter.
He was concerned that there were still members of the church family that had at an earlier time confessed their sins and found grace but were still living in known sin. When people continue to practice sexual immorality and sensuality, they fail to understand Christ’s work on their behalf and the reality of their new life in Christ as a new creation through the indwelling Holy Spirit. He wrote the letter so that these might repent in advance of his visit to them. He understood that confrontation personally would be painful, especially if done without warning. God always prepares his people by warning them in advance by prophetic voices and through His Holy Spirit. This was Paul’s approach in loving but firm confrontation of persistent sin.
Have you ever had a friend or someone in church leadership confront you about something you knew you were doing sinfully? When you read God’s Word and it details how God feels about a sin you know your are indulging in, how do you receive it? Is there a sin you will now repent of?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your loving correction through the Holy Spirit in me and through those in spiritual leadership. May Your Spirit and Word always guide me in loving correction of those in the church family. If I am blind to a besetting sin, bring to light my need of repentance by any means. Amen.
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