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.