2 Corinthians 2:5-11
“Should I JUDGE People?” (REAL Confrontation) is the title for this first week in this sermon series. That word “judge” brings a lot of different emotions as I have found myself thinking, “Ugh, are they judging me?” And I have certainly been guilty of wrongly judging others. The scripture passage that we are going to camp on today speaks about rightly judging others, extending forgiveness, and how we need to restore the repentant.
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
CS Lewis said, "We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it".
Offering forgiveness is hard for many people, yet the Bible tells us that forgiveness is one of the distinctive characteristics or graces of the Christian life. That God's people are expected and indeed enabled to forgive. Did you catch that last part of the sentence, “enabled to forgive”? The church is called to be forgiving and to be receptive to the repentant. May I remind you that you and I ARE the church.
Now, what about the other side of the fence, those of us who have messed up, who have sinned, and we are struggling with guilt and shame. Just as the church is called to quickly welcome the repentant, be encouraged because God quickly welcomes the repentant, as well. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 teaches that the beauty of restoration lies in the church's ability to respond to sin with both accountability and grace, leading to healing and unity. Friends, we need discipline, and as we repent, the focus shifts from discipline to restoration.
When the church responds to sin with “judgment” and grace, it then leads to healing and unity. Followers of Christ are meant to judge. It’s a beautiful and loving process.
“Should I JUDGE People?” (REAL Confrontation) is the title for this first week in this sermon series. That word “judge” brings a lot of different emotions as I have found myself thinking, “Ugh, are they judging me?” And I have certainly been guilty of wrongly judging others. The scripture passage that we are going to camp on today speaks about rightly judging others, extending forgiveness, and how we need to restore the repentant.
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
CS Lewis said, "We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it".
Offering forgiveness is hard for many people, yet the Bible tells us that forgiveness is one of the distinctive characteristics or graces of the Christian life. That God's people are expected and indeed enabled to forgive. Did you catch that last part of the sentence, “enabled to forgive”? The church is called to be forgiving and to be receptive to the repentant. May I remind you that you and I ARE the church.
Now, what about the other side of the fence, those of us who have messed up, who have sinned, and we are struggling with guilt and shame. Just as the church is called to quickly welcome the repentant, be encouraged because God quickly welcomes the repentant, as well. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 teaches that the beauty of restoration lies in the church's ability to respond to sin with both accountability and grace, leading to healing and unity. Friends, we need discipline, and as we repent, the focus shifts from discipline to restoration.
When the church responds to sin with “judgment” and grace, it then leads to healing and unity. Followers of Christ are meant to judge. It’s a beautiful and loving process.