2 Corinthians 2
There are two words we could use to characterize chapter two: forgiveness and fragrance. Paul speaks very clearly to the church regarding the individual who had committed grave immorality addressed in 1 Corinthians. This immorality, if you do not recall, was sleeping with his step-mother, a sin even the pagan world denounced. In the beginning Paul had stated to disassociate with the individual who had created such a stir and committed this sin. The reason was two-fold: not allow him to influence others to sin and secondly to hopefully encourage the fallen believer to repent and return to a rightful walk with God. Apparently this had been the case because now Paul says offer forgiveness to the man. He writes in verses 7-8
"...So now you should forgive and comfort him instead; otherwise, this one may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. Therefore I urge you to confirm your love to him."
Who is there in your life to which you need to offer for forgiveness? Maybe the person has wronged you? They may not even know they have wronged you? Maybe it is someone, like the individual in the Corinthian church which has sinned against the church. Paul encourages us to offer forgiveness for the complete healing in our lives and the restoration of the fallen believer. Someone once said that when we offer forgiveness, even if it is not requested, we act more like Christ than any other time. Be that person today.
The second word, fragrance, really is a sweet aroma of forgiveness. Paul uses an interesting analogy of our being the sweet fragrance of Christ to those being saved. However, he also states that we are the scent of death to those who reject the Gospel. We must understand that when we bear the Spirit of Christ we are either joy or heartache to other people. The great question is, “Are you aromatic of God? Do you bear the aroma of Jesus or are you just stinking up His kingdom? Just a thought!
Takeaways
"...So now you should forgive and comfort him instead; otherwise, this one may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. Therefore I urge you to confirm your love to him."
Who is there in your life to which you need to offer for forgiveness? Maybe the person has wronged you? They may not even know they have wronged you? Maybe it is someone, like the individual in the Corinthian church which has sinned against the church. Paul encourages us to offer forgiveness for the complete healing in our lives and the restoration of the fallen believer. Someone once said that when we offer forgiveness, even if it is not requested, we act more like Christ than any other time. Be that person today.
The second word, fragrance, really is a sweet aroma of forgiveness. Paul uses an interesting analogy of our being the sweet fragrance of Christ to those being saved. However, he also states that we are the scent of death to those who reject the Gospel. We must understand that when we bear the Spirit of Christ we are either joy or heartache to other people. The great question is, “Are you aromatic of God? Do you bear the aroma of Jesus or are you just stinking up His kingdom? Just a thought!
Takeaways
1. When we are wronged we must forgive!
2. When someone has wronged the church we must forgive them as well!
3. We are the aroma of Christ when we offer forgiveness and bear His image.
2. When someone has wronged the church we must forgive them as well!
3. We are the aroma of Christ when we offer forgiveness and bear His image.
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