2 Corinthians 7:13-16

                                                                 2 Corinthians 7:13-16

And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.  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.  And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.  I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

 

Encouragement is one of the most essential responsibilities we have as believers in our relationships to one another.  This is especially true in the context of discipline.  When discipline becomes necessary it is easy for the person being disciplined to thank that they are no longer of use and that they are no longer loved.  Satan will do all he can to discourage, deceive and destroy.  We must be intentional in our encouragement.  Here are two ways to do that.

 

COMMUNICATE HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Discouragement can be common in the lives of those who are under discipline.  When leaders communicate a lack of trust or confidence in the character and prospects of those being disciplined discouragement can become overwhelming.  The reality is that we are willing to go through the painful process of discipline because we believe that the Spirit of God at work in the life of the believer will bring about true repentance, restoration, and even greater usefulness in the work of the kingdom.  Like the process of pruning a vine so it will produce more fruit.  If those expectations are not clearly communicated, we are not being effective encouragers.  Paul tells the church how much he boasted about them to Titus and how he now so that he was right to do so.  Because Paul had high expectations for this problematic church, they rose to the occasion.  People tend to rise to the expectations that are communicated about them.  This is important to remember in raising children as well as in exercising church discipline.  Humility is always a prerequisite for those who are involved in exercising discipline and encouraging others is a clear demonstration of humility.

 

DEMONSTRATE GREAT AFFECTIONS: Discipline usually requires some sort of removal or distancing.  The person under discipline is removed from responsibilities and when there is a lack of repentance, removal from fellowship.  These are often seen as being unloving or uncaring.  It is easy to understand how a person would feel that way.  For that reason, we must be intentional in communication our love and affection to the person who is being disciplined.  They must clearly understand that the discipline is being exercised because we love them.  Paul and Titus both expressed how they were rejoicing and full of affections for the people.  Love must never be assumed; it must be demonstrated and expressed, or it will not be understood.  There are few if anything more encouraging than having someone show love.  We must actively share with others how we feel about them.

 

APPLICATION: Encourage one another by setting high levels of expectation for what we believe they can accomplish and then regularly and clearly communicate those expectations.  Tell our brothers and sisters in Christ that we love them and show it in tangible ways.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than any of the other people of his
Read more

1 Timothy 2:11-15

Let a woman learn quietly   with all submissiveness.    I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.    For Adam was formed first,   then Eve;   and Adam was not deceived, but   the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.    Yet she will be saved through   childbearing—if they continue in   faith and love and holiness, with self-control. There is certainly controversy and confusion about this passage in many churches today.  The idea of a distinction between men and women and their roles in the family and church certainly goes against the flow of many cultures around the world.  Some would argue that the literal and plain teaching of this passage is no longer applicable to today’s culture.  However, it is always dangerous to discard biblical teaching or try to interpret Scripture based on the cultures in which we live.  Certainly, the Spirit who inspired this text was aware of the many changes that would occur in future cul
Read more

1 Timothy 2:1-7

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and   dignified in every way.    This is good, and   it is pleasing in the sight of   God our Savior,   who desires   all people to be saved and   to come to   the knowledge of the truth.    For   there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,   who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is   the testimony given   at the proper time.    For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying),   a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.   Prayer is one of the greatest privileges believers have and it should be one of our greatest priorities.  Too often our lives are more often marked by complaining about our circumstances and our political leaders than by prayers for them.  The government in Paul’s day
Read more