In The Word
Read: 2 Corinthians 13
Examine Yourselves
13 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 2 I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone,3 since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.
5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? 6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. 10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
I can remember as a young boy getting in trouble, and my Mom would inform my Dad when he called from work. She would hand me the phone and he would say, “I’ll take care of you when I get home.” I’m sure the Corinthians felt just as I did when Paul said, “I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone” (2 Corinthians 13:2). This third trip to Corinth would be for discipline! He stated in 2 Corinthians 13:1 that he would not correct everyone but only those whose offenses are confirmed by two or three witnesses. He also warned them to test themselves, examine themselves! And we, Paul and his followers, examined ourselves and passed (2 Corinthians 13:6)! I’m pretty sure the antagonists were very concerned when this letter was read to the congregation.
How would you handle being disciplined by your leadership? What if you did something, you were wrong, and you found yourself being confronted by church leadership. Would you deny the charges and tell them it’s none of their business? Or do you confess and place yourself under their authority for discipline? I’ve seen it all; the right way is to acknowledge the offense, and the wrong way is responding through arrogance. Your church leadership is there to protect you. If you admit, confess, and repent then God can work it out on your behalf. When you defend yourself and refuse help, you could find yourself placed outside of fellowship. The leadership must protect the church and its members. Do the right thing and accept the discipline from the Lord.