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BIBLE
STUDY LESSON
For
the week beginning Sunday February 18, 2018
FORGIVENESS
OF SIN
2
Corinthians 2:1-11
It was not so much, Paul’s desire to
try and tell the Corinthians exactly how to put their faith into practice, but
rather, he wanted to work together with them so that their joy would be full as
they strived to stand firmly behind the teachings of CHRIST JESUS, while living
out their lives, in this world. And so Paul decided that it would be best not
to dishearten the people of Corinth with yet another emotionally painful visit
because, to cause them emotional pain, would not only discourage them, but it
would also sadden him deeply on a personal level. He did not wish to be made
sad by his brothers and sisters in CHRIST, who were suppose to give him the
most joy (2 Corinthians 2:1-4).
In 2 Corinthians 2, verses 5-11, perhaps
Paul is writing about the man whom he had urged the Church at Corinth to
excommunicate from fellowship a year earlier (1 Corinthians 5:1-7). The man had
been involved in an ongoing adulterous relationship with his father’s wife,
living in sin (shacking up) with her. Paul had strongly rebuked the Church, who
were very much aware of the couple’s sexual immorality, but had taken no action
to address this unacceptable behavior.
After Paul’s strong and decisive rebuke,
the Corinthians followed Paul’s advice and instructions, and removed the man
from church fellowship (apparently the woman was not a member of the Christian
congregation at that time). However, now Paul was strongly urging the church to
show “compassion” and welcome the man back into fellowship, as he felt that he
had been punished enough for his indiscretions. Apparently the man had been in
deep repent and suffering in the time since his excommunication from the Church,
and now, Paul felt it was time to forgive him, comfort him, and show him love,
so that he would not become so discouraged that he would not be able to recover
emotionally.
Furthermore, Paul knew how satan would seek
to take advantage of the situation, seizing upon a person who might be having
an “incorrect emotional response to GOD” (see Nehemiah 8:9-12), and using it to
do even greater harm to the man, and to the Church, as a whole. Being
thoroughly familiar with the evil tactics of satan, here Paul uses the only
effective weapon he had, the ways and wisdom of CHRIST.
Through his wisdom (authority from CHRIST
on high), Paul was forever mindful of
our human need for “repent” and “forgiveness”, and, it was time to apply
this wisdom, (forgiveness and encouragement) to the situation now at hand in
the Church at Corinth. Forgiveness completes the healing process and restores
our relationships with our fellow man in the same way that all mankind receives
forgiveness through JESUS CHRIST, our SAVIOR and LORD.
JESUS’ vicarious sacrifice provides us with
a vehicle to “spiritual recovery and healing”, so that we can be forgiven by
GOD the FATHER, whenever, and if ever, we decide to repent. GOD then restores
us back into “a personal relationship of friendship” with HIM, and HE also
lends us the help and guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT, to assist us as we move
forward in the ways of CHRIST, for the remainder of our lives, here on earth.
MINISTERS
OF THE NEW COVENANT
2
Corinthians 2:12-17
When Paul came to the city of Troas to meet
up with Titus to preach the Good News of CHRIST, he felt that GOD had given them
a tremendous opportunity and power to do so. However, Titus was not there when
he arrived and so, Paul instead, decided to go on from there to Macedonia to
try and find him. He was afraid that Titus may have met with some trouble along
the way, perhaps from bandits, since he knew that Titus would be carrying a
large sum of money that had been collected from the churches in Macedonia, that
they had intended to use for the famine relief in Jerusalem.
Paul’s concern for Titus was not that he had
been taken captive, or, had met his death, because, in his mind, he knew that
GOD had already taken them captive and put them under HIS protection and
guidance along CHRIST’s triumphal path to glory. Wherever they went GOD was
using them to spread the Good News of the Gospel like a sweet perfume to those
who received them as HIS messengers.
Like the sweet perfume that went up to GOD
in the Old Testament days whenever sacrifices were burned on the altar, so does
a sweet fragrance go up to GOD whenever New Testament and Church Age saints go
out and sacrifice their lives to spread the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, with
dignity and respect, throughout the world.
However, the fragrant odor of the saint’s
teachings attracts some, and yet, repels others, as the scent is perceived
differently by those who are seeking answers through salvation, than it is by
those who prefer to take their lives into their own hands. Those who are on the
road to destruction and blinded by satan, perceive the Gospel as the fearful
smell of death and doom (v.16a) , while those who are being “saved” perceive
the odor as being life-saving perfume (v.16b).
Paul points out to the Corinthians, in
defense of his ministry, that, they are not like the “huskers” who preach only
for the money. He tells them that he and those who travel with him, preach
GOD’s message with all sincerity, and, with the power and authority of CHRIST
JESUS HIMSELF. And they fully understand that GOD is always watching, guiding,
and protecting them every step of the way.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
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