25 Sep October 5th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

GOD’S LOVE IS ALWAYS AT WORK

2 Corinthians 2:1-4 “So 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 would not be distressed by those who should have made 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.”

“This is going to hurt me more than it will you,” said your father as he prepared to administer his punishment to you for a sin you had committed.  At that moment you most likely said to yourself you seriously doubted his words.  In fact, you may have thought he enjoyed administering his board of education to your seat of knowledge.

Once St. Paul had administered his discipline to the Corinthians, like a parent he wanted to be sure that he followed up in a proper manner.  He realized he had to give them some time to think of what he had said in his reprimand (his first letter) and to decide together to no longer permit public sins in their midst.  His goal was for them to share with him Christian joy resulting from their confession of sins and the absolution they received through Christ Jesus.

Lest there be any question as to Paul’s motivation, he concludes with these words, “. . . 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.”  St. Paul disciplined the Corinthians because of his love for them and he gave them time to heal for the very same reason.

This is how God deals with you.  In love He created His Law to keep you from sinning and when you sin to show your sins.  He did this not to make you feel bad but out of His love to cause you to recognize your sins, their eternal consequences, and stop you from committing them. In love He sent Jesus to take upon Himself the punishment you deserve and earn for you His forgiveness.  Out of love He has adopted you through your baptism to be His very own child.  As John writes, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

As a parent’s love is not always easy to recognize so is God’s.  You may not like God’s Law, especially when it comes up against one of your “pet” sins.  You may not like God’s discipline.  Yet, in love God uses it for your good to show you your sins and your need for His forgiveness.  In love God is always ready to hear you confess your sins and ask for His forgiveness through Jesus.  He wants you and all people to be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4-6)

Prayer:   Lord, help me to see Your love for me, especially when You are disciplining me.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Renew me, O eternal Light, And let my heart and soul be bright,

Illumined with the light of grace That issues from Your holy face.

Remove the pow’r of sin from me And cleanse all my impurity

That I may have the strength and will Temptations of the flesh to still.

Create in me a new heart, Lord, That gladly I obey Your Word.

Let what You will be my desire, And with new life my soul inspire.

Grant that I only You may love And seek those things which are above

Till I behold You face to face, O Light eternal, through Your grace.

(LSB 704)