2nd Corinthians 2:1-11 POSTPONING A VISIT We people are first saved, especially those who have lived a very ungodly lifestyle in their past, there often comes a great sense of relief from guilt caused by sin. Along with that there is the peace that comes from knowing one is forgiven by God. A sense of well-being may be associated with knowing one is in the family of God, and the fear of death and the future may be replaced with contentment. However, it is not long after when some of the habits of the old life reappear and begin to reassert themselves in our life pattern. The joy of devotion and worship, and interest in Bible reading begins to fade as well. Prayer becomes a ritual that falls into a pattern of repetition of the same things time after time instead of a special time of communion with God. Before long one may find themselves less interested in attending assembly meetings and less interested in fellowship with Christians. This happened in Corinth and Paul had written a letter and then gone there to try to stop this backwards drift and rectify the condition into which they had fallen. In the letter he wrote he clearly stated what was wrong and what needed to be corrected and why. It had been his intention to return, but he postponed the visit to give the Corinthian believers time to act on the teaching and instruction he had given. One has said, "If we are not going forward, we are going backward. We may think we are just standing still but that is only self-deception."
In the situation and circumstances Paul found himself, the same as today, correction brings sorrow and emotional pain. Paul stayed away for awhile so as to not inflict more pain on them for their carelessness and the division varying opinions caused. He had given them the words of God as he defined the problem and gave the solution. When the people of God have declined in their Christian life, neglected the Bible, lost interest in spiritual things and started living a worldly lifestyle, they resist the teaching of scripture and allow their personal bitterness because of coldness of heart, to bring misunderstanding of the corrective measures of discipline. Bitterness will defile us and others, and cause that person to overlook the compassion and love that motivated the discipline. Scriptural discipline carried out in a scriptural way has as its objective blessing for all who are involved. When a believer recognizes in himself a cold and rebellious heart, that person because of caring discipline, will turn in repentance to the Lord, and renew His confidence in God's word. But the Christian life is more than our response to teaching. It is agreeing with God as to the rightness of the corrective discipline that has a change of behavior as its motivation. If there is only an impression of spiritual commitment in order to be accepted by others, and one does what is expected only because of what people think or say, the joy, peace and real spiritual growth that accompanies a return to God, will be missing. Some people will fake that change in order to regain social acceptance with friends and family. The reality that accompanies real repentance is not a pretense.
Paul knew the believers in Corinth had corrected the things that had to be dealt with and was glad they had acted on what he had taught without him having to be there. He had caused them grief because he had to expose sin for what it was, and define corrective discipline to deal with it. Now they were giving him joy because they had obeyed his teaching and they were no longer trying to cover up the wrong. When one who has caused distress and anguish repents, and the behavior that brought discipline in the first place, has now changed, then there is blessing that comes to the hearts of all of those who are a part of that fellowship. Sadly, some think we should be tolerant of sin and overlook it for fear we might offend or discourage the erring one. The opposite is really the effect when repentance is genuine and a person accepts responsibility for their own actions without trying to find someone to blame for their sin. Love does not cover up wrong.
When we can see a believer, who has enjoyed salvation at first, start to allow the ways of their old life to come back and their Christian activity slows down, we should connect with that person as soon as possible and help them get through that time of departure. Perhaps our concern will help bring to a stop that decline in their life. When fellowship with others becomes routine and the decline continues marked by criticism of others, contention, coldness and even doubts about the rightness of what is being done, or even the truth that is taught, then we should confront that person in the spirit of meekness to find the root cause of the symptoms that are obvious to us. Sincere care will cause sincere confrontation for the benefit of the one involved in wrongdoing.
To spare the assembly at Corinth, Paul postponed his visit, and they did see the positive results of his instruction. There was repentance on the part of the sinning one following the disciplinary action taken. Now because of the discipline there was an appropriate change of behavior, and he could be restored to the fellowship of God's people because there was evidence he had been restored to God. Forgiveness and the lifting of discipline follows repentance, and following forgiveness comes acceptance and comfort. Satan will try to keep that believer in his "domain" for as long as possible to make ineffective both the one who has sinned, and those who have been affected by his actions. He will try to introduce a divisive spirit among God's people that will effectively hinder the public testimony of an assembly.
It is possible to be too lenient and ignore or overlook sin that should be confronted. It is also possible to be too hard and never grant forgiveness. in deciding to confront or comfort, we must avoid personal anger and resentment when discipline is imposed on one who has sinned in a public and immoral way. Satan take advantage of extremes. When the assembly at Corinth forgave the man who had sinned, Paul accepted that decision and forgave him too. Now was the time to reaffirm their love to him because the discipline was no longer needed.
The restoration of one who has been disciplined by being put away from the fellowship of God's people, follows evidence that there has been repentance on the part of the sinning one. That should be seen and admitted to b y the whole assembly that has been affected by his actions. The assembly puts away and the assembly receives back that person when evidence of a change of attitude and action is obvious. An attitude of sincere repentance can be responded to by an attitude of sincere forgiveness on the part of those in the assembly.
Attitude plays a part in every relationship. It can enhance and promote sincere fellowship. When genuinely seen it leads on to companionship. If it is good, it will result in blessing.
Repentance is more that just the words we say. It means a sin problem has been faced and put away. Furthermore, it implies from God we will no longer stray. If it is real, it will result in change.
Sorrow is not always a bad thing to see. Real grief for sins committed is what really should be.
Awareness of its cause should bring a change in me. If it is godly, it will result in joy.
Correction is necessary when for others we care Who have strayed from God's way and no longer share; That effect of their wrong choices that give others burdens to bear. If it is wise, it will result in contrition.
Restoration is the objective when sin must be faced. The path of recovery will be easily traced. One who has been brought back can now take his place. It if is a fact, it will result in a new beginning.
"Father, there have been times when the discipline of an erring one has brought restoration to many. There have been those whose repentance seems half-hearted. And in some cases, it has produced a divisive spirit because of a wrong attitude on the part of some. Please grant Thy servant wisdom when any form of discipline must take place. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."