"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS AND COMFORT TOWARDS SOMEONE WHO HAS SINNED AND THEN REPENTED OF THEIR SIN"
2nd Cor 2:7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
2nd Cor 2:8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
2nd Cor 2:9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
2nd Cor 2:10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
2nd Cor 2:11lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Some explanatory thoughts, application and a prayer:
1. Paul was urging the Corinthian church to forgive and comfort a brother who had sinned. (The church had to remove this sinning brother due to his continuing on, and refusing to repent of openly involving himself in sexual immorality with his step mother) Now the brother in Christ had repented and gotten right with God, but the church was hesitant to forgive him, and let him back into the fellowship.
2. Thus, Paul was urging them to forgive the man. He underscores the importance of forgiving him, and comforting him. It was to keep this brother from being swallowed up with too much sorrow. Or to put it another way, "Otherwise he may become so discouraged that he won’t be able to recover" NLT. Thus we can see that forgiveness and comfort to a repenting brother or sister is a preventative for them becoming so discouraged that they will not be able to recover from what they have done, (even though they have repented and asked God to forgive them)
3. One other very important truth here. And, it's 2nd Cor 2:11lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. Or as it's stated in the NLT 2nd Cor 2:11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes. Forgiveness and comfort to a person who has sinned, and then repented of that sin, sought and received the Lord's forgiveness, is an important defense against the schemes and designs of the devil.
What might Satan do if you are unforgiving, and refuse to comfort a repenting brother or sister in Christ.?
(1) Satan might work to keep the person in a perpetual state of self-accusation, rather then walking in and enjoying the grace, the mercy, the love and peace of God. The person would be tempted to look at what they have done, i.e their sin, rather then focus on what God has done, i.e forgiven them, and restored them.
(2) Satan might work to keep this person in a state of introspection. That is, always looking within themselves, rather then looking to our wonderful Savior. God has not called us to focus on ourselves, but rather to "Follow Him". And to be "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith"
4. It's so important that we show forgiveness, and seek to comfort someone who has fallen. And help them be restored to the Lord.
Isn't that what you would want someone to do for You? Of course it is. And, it's our God given responsibility to act that way, and and show God's love towards a repentant brother of sister in Christ.
5. Here's how all of these verses read in the NLT. Please take a slow quiet look at them, and let God speak to you through them.
And, let's be forgivers, and comforters, and be pleasing to our God, and seek to build people up, not tear them down, and leave them in their troubles.
2nd Cor 2:7Now it is time to forgive him and comfort him. Otherwise he may become so discouraged that he won’t be able to recover.
2nd Cor 2:8 Now show him that you still love him.
2nd Cor 2:9 I wrote to you as I did to find out how far you would go in obeying me.
2nd Cor 2:10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive him (for whatever is to be forgiven), I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,
2nd Cor 2:11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes.
A prayer:
Father, You have forgiven us, and we pray that we would pass on, and actively forgive, and show comfort to others who have fallen into sin, and have come to their senses, and come back to You. You would not turn them away, but, Father, it's incredible that we would not act like You in the most basic of ways that You call us to live. But, unfortunately, we can harbor pride, bitterness, resentment etc, towards someone. But, Lord, work in our hearts where needed, and make us like You. May we show Your Love and forgiveness, without hesitation. How needy people are, and we can be used by You to bring about blessing, and restoration of a needy person. We love You Lord.
In Jesus name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
