Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 The Art Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 7: 1-11 
Postures of faith 
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret but worldly grief produces death. 2 Corin 7:10

 Paul during his second missionary journey sows the seed of the gospel in the life of the people of Corinth. The letter to Corinthians is known as the letter of tears or severe letter.  Paul wrote the 1st letter to the people of Corinth from Ephesus to respond to the news that he received from Chloe’s people. There was some heretic teaching among people and also they questioned Paul’s apostleship. Paul wrote the letter to counter these issues. Also, he sent Timothy to check over the issue. Not much is known about timothy’s visit to Corinth. But by the time Paul began writing 2 Corinthians Timothy had already returned (1.1). When Timothy arrived back he brought disturbing news to Paul about the situation in Corinth. This made Paul change his travel plan. Instead of journeying through Macedonia to Corinth and then on to Jerusalem, he sailed directly from Ephesus to Corinth. After writing 1st letter he received good news from Corinth church from Titus. Paul so responded to the good news he received from Titus by writing 2nd letter to Corinthians. Fromch5: 11 to 7:4  Paul’s about reconciliation. From 6:14- 7:1, Paul is distressed in order to urge his readers to have nothing to do with pagan worship but to live a holy life out of reverence from God. Believers cannot participate in idolatrous worship because they are the temple of the living god. Because a person cannot both walk with God and participate in idolatrous worship, believers must separate themselves from idolatry.  From v 2-4 paul renews his appeal to full reconciliation between himself and the Corinthians urging them to make room for us in your hearts. In doing so he stresses nothing in his own behavior towards them constitutes an obstacle to such reconciliation.  For full reconciliation, Paul assures that he has a large space in his heart for them, and that he has great confidence and pride in them and that having heard the good news from Titus concerning their response to his 1st letter his joy knows no bounds. Here we see a clear-cut reconciliation that Paul preaches with the people of Corinth.  From v 5 to 11 we see Paul’s happiness and joy after successfully solving the crises that evolved in the church. In v8 Pauls shares his regret and feelings in writing the letter of tears. In the initial stage, he felt sad in writing the letter but now having learned its effects on the people he regrets it no longer. He is happy because the letter led to genuine repentance on Corinth people producing much earnestness, great eagerness to clear themselves from all sinful ways. The letter produced godly grief among people which will lead them to salvation(10).  Also, it brought indignation against offenders, an alarm longing and concern, and a readiness to see justice done by carrying out disciplinary action against the offenders. So the godly transformation led people to the ultimate aim of their Christian life, salvation. 
             As followers of Christ, we must also practice the act of reconciliation. Paul here stands as a role model for us. We are all humans and there are chances of getting issues and problems among us. But we should not allow our anger and evil to overrule us. Reconcile with all those whom we still keep a barrier in our life. Also, our bodies are god’s temple and we should not harm them with any evil things seen in the world. We should lead a life full of grace and love. Say no to all the toxins that harm our body like cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, etc. we are His ambassadors on the earth.   

Prayer
Almighty lord makes us love all without keeping any barriers in our life. Strengthen us to be your ambassadors on the world to spread your gospel of unity to all nations-   Amen.

Thought for the Day
In Christ, we find not only intimacy with god but the pathway to healing the fellowship with our family and friends.

Mathew Abraham Varghese
Mar Thoma Theological Seminary Kottayam

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