May 09, 2022 – Monday
2 Corinthians 12:20-21 NIV
20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
Comment.
Paul is going to make clear what his concerns are about the Christians in Corinth. He plans a third visit, and he is concerned they would still be unrepentant. He even describes what he is writing about when he writes, I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
All of these would be fruit of worldly thinking and actions the Christians in Corinth had accepted within their midst. Paul wants them to know this must end before his next visit. He warns them if they have not ended such activities, he will be extremely unhappy before the Lord, and they will not be pleased with him and what he will have to say when he arrives. In other words, take care of this now!
If they do not take care of it before his arrival my God will humble me before you as he would have to believe he was not as effective an apostle or teacher if the Corinthians had not responded to him sufficiently to repent and live Christian lives. Then Paul shows us his character as a pastor when he writes, I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged. He will look upon the sins of others with grief, I will be grieved, knowing they are without excuse having heard the Gospel of Christ. He would be angry and have much to say, but he would be humbled and grieved. He has no desire for anyone to be lost, choosing to live in sin rejecting Jesus.
It is important to note Paul’s concerns are not directed at those had sinned, repented, and stopped sinning. Instead, his anger and grieving would be directed at those have sinned and refused to repent. His message was not that he expected some form of perfection, only an acknowledgement of one’s sins followed by repentance.
Bottom Line: It is not a catastrophe to fall, but there is in failing to acknowledge one has sinned and refusal to repent of the sins, then walking once again as a Christian.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Please help to always be aware when I have failed in my Christian walk and then repent of the same. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek