| | | | Dealing with troublemakers - 2 Corinthians 2:5-8 You've probably heard me say "The only problem with church, is that it's full of people!" If you want to find the perfect church, then go to an empty church. Of course, once you walk through the doors, it's no longer perfect!
"No problem Pastor Clay, I know that even though some people rub me the wrong way, and I'm supposed to love them, but did you know about "so and so" and what they did? That person needs to go."
Whether its work, family, or the church, there's always that one person that really upsets the cart. The person that does something that hurts the whole organization. The person that does something that cannot be ignored, and corrective action has to be taken. It's the right thing for corrective action to be take in situations like this. In the church, it's called "church discipline," and it can lead up to being asked to leave the church, for the good of the church. Paul recommended that action to the church at Corinth in his first letter (1 Cor 5), and the church apparently obeyed Paul, excommunicating the man that was causing the trouble.
But that is never the end of the matter. The point of discipline is to bring about repentance, and right behavior, and once that occurs, then that person should be forgiven, and brought back into the fold.
I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him. 2 Cor 2:5-8
In my experience, as hard as invoking discipline might be, forgiving and restoring a person is actually harder. As humans, our natural tendency in a situation like this is to move on, and not have that person in our lives anymore. According to Paul, that's just not good enough. Paul calls on the church to be reconciled with that person, and as hard as that might be, its the right thing to do because it's what God did for us.
In 2 Corinthians 5 Paul talks about the ministry of reconciliation that God has given us. Through Jesus Christ, God has forgiven us of all of our sins, past present, and future, and has adopted us into His family as if we were His sons and daughters. If God has offered that to us, how can we not offer it to others?
So if you're divided from someone, and repentance has taken place, I encourage you to restore that person to your circle. Forgive them, and comfort them, so that they can witness the ministry of reconciliation in Christ, working in you.
"Lord, help me to carry forth the ministry of reconciliation to the people who have wronged me, or my circle. Help me forgive, and love."
Pastor Clay | | | | | | | |
