Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Our Lord Comes
2 Corinthians 7

Sherry Thomas
Christos MTC, PA

Tough love. Wikipedia defines tough love as an expression that is used when a person treats another person harshly or sternly with the intent to help them in the long run. In most cases, there is love or concerned affection behind the harsh treatment. This expression is something that we have all heard or experienced at least once in our lives, and most likely from our parents when we were younger.

In 2 Corinthians 7: 1-16, we see the Apostle Paul speaking to the Church of Corinth in this fashion. There was no doubt about it – Paul loved the Church of Corinth. However, its members had committed many grievous sins which he could not ignore. As a loving father disciplines his child for disobedience, the church had to be rebuked which he did so in a form of a letter back in chapter 2. However, we read that he was deeply troubled fearing that the letter was too harsh as 2:4, “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.”
 
Paul reminds the Church of his love for them again in 7:3 when he states, “Make room for us in your hearts.” He implores them to open their hearts to him. However, he goes on to say in verse 8 that his rebuke was justified, “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it–I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while–.” Paul wasn’t trying to be malicious; he was so concerned for their well-being that he’d rather risk his relationship and reputation to keep them on the Godly path.

Fortunately, the letter yielded the right response from the Church and this brought great joy to Paul as noted in verses 9-10, “yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your SORROW LED YOU TO REPENTANCE. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

Whether it is our parents or God, we should always try to remember that they have our best intentions at heart. It may not be easy, but we need to keep our hearts open. Having this perspective will allow us to understand the bigger picture and bring us into God's mercy.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us as Your own. You know us better than we know ourselves, and only want what's best for us. Help us to remember that during our moments of trial we may turn to You for Your grace and mercy. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Godly sorrow receives tough love well and produces repentance and salvation.

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more