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 2 Corinthians 7- Healthy Sorrow, Repentance, Complete Confidence in One Another

        We will work through this chapter for a few days.  This is the follow-up encouraging chapter to the tough love chapters of 1 Corinthians.  Serious talk for serious people.  As G.K. Chesterton reminds the Christian in The Everlasting Man, only the live fish can swim upstream.  Paul is talking to live fish here.  Those that are alive with the Spirit of Christ.  They are earnestly concerned to clear themselves; they have righteous indignation, alarm at wrongdoing, longing for fellowship, zeal, and readiness to punish wrong.

        Christian men must bring honor to Christ.  It’s a simple question, but man, what a dangerous one.  Has my conduct brought honor to Christ?  Does the way I treat my daughter and sons honor Christ?  Does the way I speak to, support, encourage, and love my wife bring honor to Christ?  Does the way I communicate with my elderly parents and my elderly in-laws bring honor to Christ?  Is there anything I do with my body or spirit that does not bring honor to Christ?  What about money?  Does the way I handle my finances and other people’s money bring honor to Christ?  Am I a good example of a churchman?  Or just another self-serving hypocrite?

        Jesus’ words are haunting, “Get away from me you evil doers, I do not know you.”  Jesus knows those who bring honor to his name and prove with their lives they are working toward complete holiness because they fear God.  Oh Lord Jesus, I do not want to bring shame to your name nor your word.

So we must cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit.

It is essential that we not take advantage of anyone or abuse anyone.  Never do wrong to anyone.  Never lead anyone stray.

        We must be open to criticism and be above any criticism for the way we live our lives.  It’s ok to be criticized; but God forbid it to be for anything we’ve done that is dishonest, abusive, or any other harm we’ve caused.

        Brothers, let us cleanse ourselves from impure motives and anything that can defile us.  Today.  Let’s work toward complete holiness because we fear God.  Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help us here!  Amen

Fishing with my friend Hugo in Florida.


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