Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 2

So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit. For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved. That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you. – 2 Corinthians 2:1-4

Paul continues to refer to the letter he sent to the church in Corinth that was not well received. He wants to clear up any misunderstanding so that they can realign their relationship and move forward. He shares his heart with his fellow believers in order to get past any misconceptions — so that they can understand why he said what he said and how deeply he loves them.

Oh how the enemy loves to confuse the Church! If he can cause divisions among the body of believers, the strength of the Church is weakened, making it easier for Satan to block our mission and purpose. When we allow bitterness towards one another to grow, it becomes a distraction from all that God is calling us to be and do. We use all of our energy holding onto grudges and spreading speculation, causing us to take our eyes off of Jesus.

IT IS TIME TO TRUST ONE ANOTHER — BELIEVING THE BEST ABOUT OUR FELLOW BELIEVERS.

I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.

I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. – 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

IT IS TIME TO FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER — RECONCILING RELATIONSHIPS AND RESTORING UNITY.

Let’s stand in unity against the one who is daily trying to trip us up and cause us to veer from the path God has called us to walk. More than that, he is seeking to destroy us — seeking to destroy the Church. When I recognize that the same enemy who is trying to distract me from my relationship with Christ is also working hard against my fellow believer, it gives me a new perspective. Instead of pushing against my brother or sister in Christ, I can come alongside them and create conversations that will help us both defeat the voice of suspicion and lies.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. – 1 Peter 5:8

When we recognize that Jesus loves the one we are struggling to love, and when we come face to face with the truth that we are operating from human emotion rather than allowing the Spirit of God to lead us, we not only begin to forgive others but we also recognize our own need for forgiveness. And when we begin to find unity and alignment with our fellow believers around the truth of God’s word, we become a sweet fragrance that helps others find their way into a growing relationship with Christ.

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

IT IS TIME TO PLACE OUR RELATIONSHIPS IN THE HANDS OF JESUS AND ALLOW HIM TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL FRAGRANCE THAT BRINGS GLORY TO GOD.

Today is Father’s Day — a day to show appreciation to the men in our life who have provided for us and protected us; a chance to express our love to those who have taught us and shaped us over the years. Perhaps this is a day that comes with some pain or disappointment in the one who was not all you needed them to be. In the context of the scriptures we have been reading and the truths the Spirit has been teaching us, perhaps this is a day to seek reconciliation with our fathers or grandfathers or husbands. If so, I pray that God gives you the words to say and the heart to forgive; I pray that the Spirit leads you and that God is glorified as steps are taken towards reconciliation and forgiveness.