Today’s passage: 2 Corinthians 7:2-16
Helpful thoughts:
- Paul had earlier been speaking against false teachers who were trying to lead the church to question his apostolic ministry. This passage serves to conclude his argument against that false teaching (Defending the authenticity of his ministry).
- Paul’s faithful ministry spoke in his defense.
- Titus’ faithful ministry and good report spoke in his defense.
- The Corinthian church’s existence, obedient response to loving rebuke, and continued growth spoke in his defense.
- The church was alive and well because they were believing, repenting, and adhering to the truth!
- There is a major difference between feeling bad about our sin and truly repenting.
- Both godly and worldly grief can be accompanied with bad feelings/emotions.
- Worldly grief does not produce change and is often centered on the self (How this made me feel bad; How this hurt me; etc.).
- Godly grief produces change/repentance and is centered on the greatest commandments (How this grieves Him; How this hurts others; How I must change for their good; etc.)
Questions to consider:
- How does this passage help us better evaluate some of the things that make Christians and the church healthy spiritually? What happens when the truth is preached, taught, and followed (Even when we fall short and then make it right, which we all have to do regularly!)?
- What kinds of evidence would we see in the life of a person who is experiencing/practicing worldly grief?
- What kinds of evidence would we see in the life of a person who is experiencing/practicing godly grief?