25 Sep October 6th Daily Devotion

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

REAFFIRM YOUR LOVE

2 Corinthians 2:5-8 “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. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.”

Good and proper discipline is never meant to drive someone away or  destroy a relationship.  Good discipline is meant to be instructive.  Its goal is to enable someone to see a mistake, a problem they have created with their words or actions that is toxic to a healthy relationship.  Discipline’s goal is for the one disciplined to improve, grow, see, and correct their mistakes that are harming their relationship with others.

St. Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 2:5-8 in response to his exhortations penned to the Corinthians in his first letter.  There were a number of open sins occurring in the church at Corinth and no one was seemingly bringing good, healthy Christian discipline to bear upon those who were breaking God’s commandments.  St. Paul’s goal was for the congregation to acknowledge the sins and do something about them in accord with the teaching of Jesus.  (see Matthew 18:15ff)

Some time has passed.  St. Paul had given the Corinthians “space” to work on their spiritual problem.  Word has come to him that they have done so.  They have properly dealt with those openly committing sins, disciplined them and repentance had occurred.

Now, says St. Paul, it was time for the Corinthians to “reaffirm their love.”  Whereas, the sinful human nature wants to continue to punish, ostracize, and separate those who have caused a problem, St. Paul reminds them that Jesus taught the goal of Christians in dealing with sinners is forgiveness, pardon, restoration, and reaffirming love for the offenders.  This is not “cheap” grace but rather God’s love applied to the wounds that sin causes like an ointment to heal the raw soul with God’s love and mercy.

The art of parenting is to discipline a child but not drive them away.  The art of a Christian ministering to a sinner, Luther says, is to take them to the brink of hell with God’s law and then lift them up and save them with the power of the Gospel.  Jesus loved sinners and had compassion upon them.  Jesus says to you, “even as I have loved you, love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Prayer:  Help me, Lord, to always apply Your law in a proper way that it not create despair but only recognition of sin, remorse, and a desire for Your forgiveness.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Refrain:     There is a balm I Gilead To make the wounded whole;

There is a balm I Gilead To heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged And think my work’s in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again.  Refrain:

If you cannot preach like Peter, If you cannot pray like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus And say He died for all.  Refrain:

Don’t ever feel discouraged, For Jesus is your friend;

And if you lack for knowledge, He’ll ne’er refuse to lend.  Refrain:

(LSB 749)