SINCERITY OF THE SERVANT. 2nd Corinthians 7:1-16 The rewards of faithfulness in the ministry of reconciliation are great and are there for us to claim. True separation to God and warm dedication to His work first of all brings us closer to God Himself. He promises to receive us and be a Father to us - the Lord Almighty! It also brings the saints of God closer to each other as sons and daughters in His family. We are not isolated freelancers doing our own thing in the work of the Lord. There is unity of people and purpose when we understand who we are and why we are here. Even more, another result of separation to God and from those who are in the world system is that it brings God closer to us, He promised to "dwell in them, and walk in them." There is no closer fellowship with God than that!! What wonderful promises we have! What a great motivating incentive to cleanse ourselves from everything that would defile the flesh and spirit. That is the negative side of being aware of the promises of God.
On the positive side, we are to "perfect holiness" in every aspect of life. This would mean that in the five areas of scriptural separation, in the "fear of God" we do not allow practices that defile the body (flesh), nor do we allow anything to contaminate the soul. Holiness is both a gift from God and a pursuit on our part. Perfecting holiness involves personal dedication to Christ and a commitment to holy living. Christlikeness is the objective when a child of God realizes who he or she is. We have the responsibility and capability to cleanse ourselves from the pollution of the spirit and sinful deeds of the flesh by committing ourselves to the pursuit of holiness.
Holiness in the context is a reference to being without sin. God's people are known as "holy brethren" who shun bitterness and jealousy and rather cultivate forgiveness. As a "holy priesthood," we should be those who conduct ourselves with godly reverence and devotion. We do not put holiness on as a piece of clothing and then put it off at our convenience. The people of God are a "holy temple" that can bring joy or grief depending on their behavior, and as a "holy nation" our lives before the world identifies us as to whether we are living in the fear of God or not. We can perfect holiness by separating from sin. We can avoid sinning by feeding on the Word of God, memorizing it, praying earnestly, and asking for the prayers and help of other people. "Perfecting holiness" means we are to have nothing to do with those things that are of the past life by making a clean break from them all. Maturing in faith promotes and produces a Christ-likeness that is essential in the ministry of reconciliation.
There was a deep sincerity in the heart of the apostle Paul as he made this appeal for their love and affection. When hearts are open, reconciliation, which is heart work, takes place. They had a significant place in his heart and he was totally committed to living or dying with them. Such an attitude and actions as Paul had, were motivated by love for the Corinthians. He found joy in them even though they were ignoring him because he knew where they came from and what they had been. He had carefully explained the ministry of the Gospel during the four previous chapters and now picks up his own testimony as a sincere minister of the Gospel he preached. There is a glad reunion with Titus, his co-worker who was also a great comforter to him when he brought his report of the response of the Corinthian believers to Paul's corrective letter.
Joy is not limited to those things that make us comfortable. Sometimes the joy we have in trials and pressures is deeper and more significant to us because of the situation in which we are found. In hardships, we can be comforted and find joy when we know the ministry to which we have been called is progressing. Correction as well as promotion is part of the work of the Lord. A caring man like Titus who had been proven by his faithful conduct, is one who can be trusted to give an accurate assessment of a work that has been done. There are difficulties that arise in Gospel work that come from individuals, public opinion, and circumstances. Anxiety is relieved at such times by good news. Paul was relieved by the Corinthians taking his instructions to heart and obeying what he had taught them.
When we truly want the very best for others as in the case of the bond between the Lord’s servant and his spiritual children, one is prepared to say and do what is best for them even if it may cause some pain. That is because such people are “in our hearts.” There are some principles of confrontation that it is well to follow in the interest of affirming one's ministry. Paul did this and the results were what he had hoped to accomplish. Do not be abrasive and arrogant, but be firm and bold in addressing the problem. Wrong has to be repented of and godly sorrow brings repentance that corrects the matters that are wrong. Affirm all you can that is good. Encourage what you can honestly see is positive.
Perhaps this is a major point to be made because the affirmation principle sees correction as a result of godly sorrow. Worldly sorrow brings embarrassment and bitterness as it looks for someone else to blame for their wrong actions. Be accurate and honest when bringing corrections. Do not give half-truths nor quote hearsay as evidence. Know the facts and do not exaggerate. In a corrective ministry, one needs to carefully prepare and not "wing it." Do not neglect to follow up after a confrontation. There is great value in the first contact after the matter has been dealt with.
A clear understanding of why the confrontation had to take place and a careful clearing of the charge is strengthened in this way. Be gentle after being firm - firm regarding truth, and gentle regarding people. Use speech that reflects Christ's words, His message, and His approach to confrontation. His words were always spiritual with the objective of ministering to the whole person. Punishment is a form of discipline that is used after all else has failed to change a person's behavior.
The Corinthians responded appropriately to Paul's correction. It is difficult to accept correction or rebuke with grace and tact. Those saints accepted the responsibility to clear themselves of evil and to make the wrong right. They wanted the will of God and acted on the matter in the way they were instructed by Paul. At first, Paul regretted having to send a letter with discipline instructions, but when he heard how they had responded he was glad their sorrow brought repentance. The report Paul received from Titus assured him that his boasting of their basic soundness of heart and desire for God's will was vindicated. Ministry and the ministers of God's truth is a basic theme in this epistle, but there is also another beautiful theme - "rejoicing."
A person can be sorry that he or she was caught in sin and sorry to have to bear the consequences of that, without repentance. True sorrow leads to a change of heart and makes one turn to God. There is a change of direction that results in spiritual deliverance, not self-justification. Godly sorrow is true regret for one’s sin and that leads to restoration to God and to His people. Godly sorrow is evident as to its reality by what a person does. It moves a person to give the diligence to make things right and personal indignation against themselves because of the shame they brought on others. There will be a healthy fear of God’s disapproval and a genuine desire to please Him.
There was rejoicing in the heart of the apostle Paul over the manner of life and its value in their Christian testimony. The genuine care of a loving spiritual father is for both the one who did wrong and the one against whom the wrong was done. Also, the whole assembly of believers suffered because of their neglect, and their spiritual welfare was seriously affected. The behavior of the messengers greatly affects the way the Gospel message is received. Believers also find cause for rejoicing in each other as we are exhorted by one another to be faithful in view of the coming of the Lord.
Obedience to God brings joy to everyone. Paul, Titus, and even the Corinthians themselves found that holy joy accompanies genuine sorrow, repentance, and change when sin has been dealt with in God’s way. In the circumstances of life, we can find cause for rejoicing in spite of the pressures that may come against us. Our attitude toward God allows us to see beyond the immediate things that could discourage us, to the One who controls all circumstances in life that we may be called upon to face. When there is godly sorrow for sin and genuine repentance that completely clears a whole matter up, that is a cause for rejoicing. A wrong has been corrected and the faith of those involved is affirmed. Confidence restored in a person, or in this case, an assembly of God's people is certainly a great reason to rejoice.
So even in the middle of difficulties in the ministry of reconciliation, there are many reasons for us to be encouraged and rejoice in the work of God being fruitful in the lives of His people. Respect for people like Paul and Titus who have a heart for the people of God and minister the truth of God, should always be shown. The attitude of those who belong to the Lord toward those who care for their spiritual well-being demonstrates their confidence in them.
What would I do when ignored and criticized for no righteous reason? Would I retaliate with sarcasm and anger, or quietly wait for God in grace to act? I hope there is enough spirituality in me that in God I would put my trust and gracefully turn in silence and walk away knowing God knows all about the whole matter. There will assuredly come some times when in love, I must make corrections in fairness to His people. I am obligated to occasionally give some directions. To allow sin in my brother to go on unaddressed is really to him quite unfair. Giving scriptural guidance to help him recover is how I can help bear his burden.
When one who has fallen comes back to the Lord, that is a very good reason to rejoice. To have taken time to help him return was for the benefactor a very wise action taken on his or her behalf when impartially, with good grace, and with love, scriptural guidance is given. The saints who had been praying for him found joy in his steps to recovery. What one person does, has an effect on many because not only is the fallen one recovered but others are warned to not do what we know is wrong.
A caring person has placed a high value on every person no matter what he has done. There is gladness of heart and love is confirmed, when the prodigal finally returns in repentance to the Lord and acts according to the will of God. The one who sincerely cared and gave scriptural guidance is the one who acted with grace. It was his satisfaction that appropriate action brought him back to the place the Lord wants him to be. There will be times when we are misunderstood and we will have to do what is right in spite of what others see as wrong. There are those who are willfully blinded to light. So, we may have to act alone sometimes, and in faith follow on with the Lord. The results God intends can be expected when we act according to the Word.