2 Corinthians 13:1-4

                                                     2 Corinthians 13:1-4

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them—since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

 

Disciplining the sins of others is not an easy or an enjoyable thing.  This is especially true when the sin issues are repetitive and there is a refusal to repent.  Satan is very persistent in his schemes to undermine the work of God in the church.  Just when we are able to deal with one issue, it seems that another sprouts up.  This is true in our own hearts as well as the life of the church.  Paul exemplifies two qualities that we must remember when dealing with our own sins as well as the sins of others.

 

DISCIPLINE REQUIRES DETERMINATION: It is difficult to deal with issues of discipline.  Paul is coming to the church about an issue of discipline for the third time.  That takes determination and persistence.  There are some issues that are so important that we cannot let them pass by no matter how inconvenient or difficult it may be.  Paul makes it clear that he will continue to insist on this issue until it is resolved.  If we truly love people, we will do the necessary work, to the point of risking relationships, to restore them bring them to where the Lord would have them be.   

 

DISCIPLINE REQUIRES DEPENDENCE: No matter how persistent we may be, it is only the Spirit of God that has the power to truly transform lives.  Just as Christ appeared weak on the cross, we are also weak. However, the power of God is made manifest in the resurrection and that same power is at work in us and other believers in whom He is also at work.  If we try to transform people in our own power, it will be a long and frustrating ordeal.  However, if we depend on the power of God, He is able to work in amazing ways in the hearts and lives of others.

 

APPLICATION: Don’t shy away from or give up on issues of discipline that need to be confronted even when we don’t see immediate results.  Look to the Lord in prayer and depend on His strength to transform our lives and use us as instruments to help in His work in the lives of others.

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