Daily Devotional Tuesday 18th June 2024
by William Moody
2 Corinthians 7
7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body1 and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Paul’s Joy
2 Make room in your hearts2 for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. 13 Therefore we are comforted.
And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.
(ESV)
Paul is making a very heartfelt appeal to the Corinthians to have room in their hearts for him (v2). Here were people who previously had supported Paul but now some have turned against him.
We need to be aware that the devil will always seek to create division within a church between members and between members and the minister. We need to be aware of the devil’s tactics and not allow ourselves to be used by him and repent of all malicious attitudes, words and actions.
Paul speaks of how his letter (1 Corinthians) had caused them grief (v8). Paul is sorry for their grief but teaches how it was necessary for their repentance (v9). Paul highlights the difference between godly grief and worldly grief (v10). Godly grief produces repentance whereas worldly grief produces wrong attitudes and responses.
Paul in seeking to help the Corinthians encourages them about their kind reception of Titus (v13-16). Paul’s description of how they received Titus is very interesting, “with fear and trembling”. This speaks a great respect for him and his ministry, which was vital to benefit from his ministry.
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