2 Corinthians 7:5-9

                                                                 2 Corinthians 7:5-9

For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.  But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.  For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.  As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

 

Ministry is not an easy thing, but it is a rewarding thing.  Advancing the Gospel and ministering to people is messy and almost always results in pain and suffering.  However, there is to greater joy in life than to see lives of people be transformed and receive eternal hope by the power of the Gospel.  These truths are important to remember as we strive to fulfill the command of Jesus to make disciples in all nations.

 

MINISTRY GROWS IN AFFLICTION: When Paul left Corinth, he returned to Macedonia.  Paul had obeyed the call of God as received in Troas to go to Macedonia and advance the Gospel to this region.  Paul suffered greatly in Macedonia.  He was beaten, imprisoned, and had to flee the region to save his life on multiple occasions.  He now returned to further the cause of Christ but still found no rest for his body.  He faced both physical and emotional suffering.  The work of ministry is physically exhausting but in Paul’s case it was also physically dangerous.  “Fighting without” is the phrase Paul uses to describe this physical hardship.  People do not like being told that their religious beliefs are wrong and that they are condemned before God.  For a Jew to be told that Jesus is the Messiah but that He was crucified by their people is extremely offensive.  This kind of ministry is dangerous and causes persecution and threats of death.  “Fear within” is how Paul describes the emotional toll of this context.  No matter how solid Paul was on his theology, pain and death are fearful realities.  However, it is fundamental to the advancement of the Gospel.  For the church to advance into new areas believers must be willing to live in danger and even face death to be able to share the message of Christ.

 

MINISTRY RESULTS IN AFFECTION: As image bearers of the triune God, we are relational beings.  We are most fulfilled and satisfied in the context of loving relationships.  There is no better context for building those deep and meaningful relationships than in the church.  That does not mean that there is not friction and conflict because we are still all sinners living in a sin cursed world.  However, as believers, we have the resources necessary to deal with sin and its consequences.  We also have the ability to comfort and encourage one another.  Paul and his team desperately needed some good news and Titus brought it to them.  Paul heart rejoiced over the fact that, despite his discipline, the people in the church continued to have deep affection for him.  Paul never wavered in his affections though he had to be firm in confronting sin.  The discipline caused a grief that led to repentance, restoration, and rejoicing.  These are the things that healthy relationships are made of.  As we go through the mess of dealing with sin in the context of community, our hearts are bound together, and we experience the joy of godly relationships.

 

APPLICATION: Be willing to face the hardship associated with advancing the Gospel you neighbors and to the nations.  Be prepared for physical and emotional exhaustion.  Invest intentionally in profound and affectionate relationships with other believers.  Exercise and except biblical discipline and rejoice in the repentance and reconciliation that are fundamental to relationships between believers.