Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 8 & 9; 2 Corinthians 2; Ezekiel 16; Psalms 58 & 59
2 Corinthians 2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
Have you ever had to tell someone a truth that you knew it would be hard for them to hear? The apostle Paul had to write two letters to the believers at Corinth and tell them some hard things. He knew it would be hard for them to hear and so it caused him much affliction and anguish of heart. He wrote to them in tears. He had to correct wrong thinking and wrong behavior toward Jesus Christ and his church.
The Corinthian believers had been swayed with every wind of doctrine. They had immoral things happening in their midst and they were not doing anything about it. They were suing one another before secular courts. They were confused about how to exercise spiritual gifts in the assembly. They had also been influenced by someone’s teaching and were not sure if Paul was really an apostle. As he heard of all these things from friends within the church he knew he had to correct these issues. He did this with a letter that is Holy Spirit inspired scripture for all ages.
Why did Paul write the letters he did? The reason is simple – he loved them. He wanted the best for these believers in Christ. He did not want false doctrine to sidetrack them. A true friend will tell you the truth even if it is hard to hear because they love you. Do you have a friend like that?
Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Paul as a faithful and loving friend in Christ wrote some words that he knew would wound. He did this because he wanted them to heal. A surgeon must wound in order to heal sometimes. Speaking the truth in love can be a hard thing sometimes. It can become a prideful thing as some people look for opportunities to wound with words. This is not the kind of thing that anyone should enjoy. It is hard to do, but sometimes must be done.
The truth is sometimes hard to take. It shocks and hurts but it sets you free once you know the truth.
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Thank God for the truth of the Word. Thank God for true friends who will speak the truth in love!
In Christ,
Rody
