Paul’s plea, “Your restoration is what we pray for,” is a model for us
By Dean Collins
Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church was complicated. Based on what we know from both First and Second Corinthians, the church was wrought with problems. Yet even amidst the problems (some quite serious), Paul loved this community deeply. Even though some in the church were on a mission to undermine and disqualify Paul’s spiritual authority and leadership, his persistence guided by the grace of God prompted him to lean in one more time with words of correction. His hope and his prayer were that the church and his relationship with the Corinthians would be restored.
Paul did not back down from the truth, but he gave one final warning that he prayed would bring reconciliation. If not, the next encounter would likely bring much grief and be painful.
Attitudes and behaviors
Paul summarized the problems at the end of 2 Corinthians 12 with the following: “Perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. . . . I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.”
This was a description of some of the attitudes and behaviors of the church in Corinth. Dare we consider that in our local fellowships a similar list might exist? If you have been in the church for long, you are well aware that just like at work, in politics, in government, in life, and even in the church, we have people problems. And the people problems stem from sin problems. The thing about sin problems is that they can’t be resolved except by seeking God in repentance. It is the work of Christ on the cross and the availability of the Holy Spirit in us that can convict and correct, even heal, us and our relationships.
Walking in Christ
Even fully aware of the problems in the church at Corinth, Paul said his desire and his prayers for them center around their restoration. Restoration has a multiplier impact. If my relationship with God is restored, then it will lead to restoration in my other relationships. One restored relationship can quickly build on another. Likewise, if we are unwilling to seek restoration with God or with another person, this might indicate that we have drifted back to the flesh instead of walking in Christ led by the Holy Spirit.
As Paul concludes his letter, he calls the believers to specific behaviors:
Rejoice
Aim for restoration
Comfort one another
Agree with one another
Live in peace
Greet one another with a holy kiss
What if we considered Paul’s prayer for restoration central to what we seek in our relationships? What would happen in our neighborhoods, communities, churches, businesses, and in our general approach to people if Paul’s closing reminder was a platform we would live by?
Aiming for restoration
Could rejoicing in the goodness of God and his daily provision change any attitudes? Would aiming for restoration instead of proving a point be of greater value? What if we looked for those we could comfort instead of those to argue with? What if we worked hard at identifying the things we could agree upon when we find ourselves alienated? What if we focused on Jesus as the basis of the agreement and relationship over doctrinal positions? What if in our social media posts we sought peace instead of argument?
When we choose to live life following these behaviors, we might be amazed at the joy, peace, love, unity, and grace that will abound in us!
Your time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 12:20-21; 13:1-14 ESV
Photo by Chichi Onyekanne at pexels.com
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