II Corinthians 7:1-16
by Dennis Baker • Brotherhood President
Paul’s first letter to the Corinth church dealt with many the moral and spiritual problems of the church. The letter has been called a “painful letter” because it was difficult for Paul to write. Because of his love for the people it broke Paul’s heart that there was division and immorality in the church. The members were following specific Christian leaders rather than Christ. Their desire to sue each other rather than settle their disputes within the church showed their immaturity and their misplaced trust in human wisdom. Sexual sin had become a problem within the church. The Corinth church was a gifted church but in their immaturity and pride they had abused their gifts.
Paul had to remind them that spiritual gifts come from God and are to be used to unify and edify the church.
Chapter six concludes with the biblical doctrine of separation and teaches us the spiritual responsibilities of believers is to cleanse ourselves once and for all of anything that keeps us from having close fellowship with Christ and other believers. It is not enough to ask God to cleanse us; with God’s help we must clean up our own lives and get rid of those things that make it easy for us to sin. No believer can legislate for any other believer; each one knows the problems of his own heart and life.
In chapter seven Paul shares his feelings concerning the suffering he endured because of his involvement in the spiritual problems of the church. His integrity, honesty, and love had been questioned. Paul shares three spiritual blessings that he had experienced because of the Lord working in his heart and the hearts of the members of the church to bring about reconciliation.
The first blessing, that Paul shares, was the blessing of restored relationships. It is difficult to rebuild shattered relationships because of false allegations and mistrust that caused the division. Unfortunately, there are many shattered relationships in homes, churches, and ministries. Shattered relationships can be repaired only when people face problems honestly, deal with them biblically and lovingly, and seek to get right with God. When people are willing to build relationships based on biblical principles, relationships will be based on integrity, honesty, and brotherly love. Paul received a blessing from Titus as he reported that the Corinth church had received his letter of instruction. There was an opportunity to “mend fences” and restore fellowship.
The second blessing that Paul writes about was the blessing of repentance. Titus reported that the church had read Paul’s “painful letter” and had repented of their sins and disciplined the members who had created the problems. He also reported that the disciplined members had repented and had been restored to fellowship. Paul had regretted that he had to write a “painful letter’ to the Corinthians, but since it had cause the Corinthians to repent and return to God his sorrow was transformed to joy. Godly sorrow produces repentance. Sorrow for sins leads to change of mind and heart and a turning to God. Repentance means turning to God. Christians need to repent, not in order to be saved, but in order to restore our close fellowship with God and other believers. Psalms 51:10-12, Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
The third blessing was the blessing of problems being resolved. The suffering Paul endured was worth it because the problem was resolved. The discipline of the immoral brother was not for vindication or avenging a wrong. It resulted in the brother being restored to the fellowship of the church.
As you and I examine our own lives, we must determine to be a part of the answer and not a part of the problem. We must show appreciation, practice separation, and encourage reconciliation if God is to use us to restore broken relationships.
