07
Tough Love
Ken Silva2 Corinthians 7: 10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
The apostle Paul is responding to the actions of the members of the Church in Corinth. He was grieved because his position as an apostle of Jesus was challenged and no one from the Church stood up to support him. These passages of scripture are a follow on expression of happiness that Paul has because of the actions the Church had taken against his accuser. The Corinthians recognized they had not supported Paul and were remorseful. Remorse is an acknowledgement that a wrong has been committed. They went beyond remorse to repentance. Repentance leads to rectifying that wrong through a change of mind and a change of heart.
As I ponder on these passages of scripture the words “tough love” come to mind. Just as Paul wrote the scathing letter to the Church in Corinth out of love. We at times need to establish boundaries and guardrails for the ones we care about. Paul was hurt but wanted to confront the issue to help maintain a relationship with the Corinthians. When we are hurt, or see things that need to be addressed we need to speak up. My responsibility as a husband and father is to provide Godly leadership and love for my family. Confront issues as necessary and provide comfort when needed. “We get what we accept”. If we allow bad behavior to go unchecked, then that’s what we can expect. If we lovingly provide correction towards God’s best, then life will be more fulfilling
Dear Lord, thank you for those that you've entrusted to my care. Help me to lead them in a way that is pleasing to you. Please guide my words, thoughts and actions. Thank you Lord for your everlasting love. Amen.
