SWHW Bible Reading Plan: November 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Michelle Myers:

The church at Corinth was one of Paul's church plants that received two of his letters. The difference between the two? His first letter was more practical, and his second letter was more personal. 2 Corinthians is a letter from Paul's heart, written to those in the church at Corinth who were twisting the truth of the gospel.

In this book, he has to do a lot of correction and pointing out where the truth-twisters were wrong. But in addition to correcting their theology, we also get an example of how we should approach it when we have to confront others ourselves.

And we are a confrontational bunch these days...at least, we seem to be from the freedom of our thumbs behind the privacy of our phones. 

Let's look for differences between how Paul confronts the Corinthians vs. how confrontation is often handled today:

1) Paul did not enjoy pointing out their wrongs.

He uses words like "out of much affliction" and "anguish of heart" and "with many tears" (2 Corinthians 2:4) to describe how he feels having this hard conversation. Being ready to be right is not enough to be ready to confront. The confrontation must be motivated by something much more.

2) Paul confronted them out of love.

Paul wasn't simply thrilled that he was the one with the "right answer." He loved them enough to tell them the truth. If we do not prioritize caring for those we have to confront, our words will probably get lost as gloating and shaming instead of the loving truth that is needed. 

3) The purpose of the confrontation was to restore.

What did Paul say to do with someone who was twisting the truth? 

• Forgive and comfort him (2 Corinthians 2:7) 
• Reaffirm your love for him (2 Corinthians 2:8)

Confront, then comfort.

Lovingly restore; do not destroy.

Yes, we must love others enough to lovingly confront them with the truth. But what we do next is just as important, yet, it often gets missed. 

Forgive. Comfort. Reaffirm your love.

This does not mean blindly trust. This does not mean put right back into leadership. 

But this also does not mean slander, cast aside, condemn, shame, and humiliate.

So when the time comes that you must confront someone (and it will!): 

1. Do not enjoy pointing out the wrongs of others. 
2. Confront out of love with the goal of restoration.  
3. Forgive. 
4. Comfort. 
5. Reaffirm your love.

God, rid me of not just my need to be right, but rid me of my desire to be right and my delight in being right. I want to care more about the souls of others so much that I stop caring about being right. Do not put me in positions to confront anyone until I care that deeply about them. Help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Help me to comfort others as You have comforted me. Help me reaffirm my love for others as You have reaffirmed Your love for me so many times and will continue to do. I cannot do it without You. Guide me and keep a firm grip on me. I love You. Amen.