Forgiveness and Triumph in Christ

 Triumph in Christ

 

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

 

2 Corinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

(ESV)

 

The crucifixion of Jesus provided forgiveness from sin through the shed blood of Christ. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead demonstrates triumph and victory over death shared by all placing their faith in Jesus as their Savior. Because of this tremendous truth, we as believers have a responsibility to forgive others and to walk in faith in a world of hatred and fear. This world of hatred and fear needs to see God’s people daring to be different, living in the love of God with forgiving hearts who are fearless and full of faith in God. Paul desires to see the Church in Corinth become forgiving, fearless, and full of faith in God.

 

Paul has decided to write this second letter to the Corinthians rather than make another painful visit to them (2 Corinthians 2:1). His reason for this is a bit selfish for he does not want to pain those who make him glad (2 Corinthians 2:2). Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was not intended to destroy their faith but instead out of much anguish of heart and in love, wishing draw closer to Christ (2 Corinthians 2:3-4).

 

The pain caused by the sinful man in the congregational did not just bring pain to just Paul, but to all of them (2 Corinthians 2:5). The punishment of banishment from the congregation by the majority is enough punishment with Paul urging the congregation to forgive him so he is not overwhelmed by excessive sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:6-7). Paul urges the Corinthians to reaffirm their love for this man (2 Corinthians 2:8). Paul’s reason for urging the Corinthians to forgive is so they are not outwitted by Satan and ignorant to his designs (2 Corinthians 2:9-11).

 

Even though a door to minister was open to Paul in Troas, Paul felt restless in his spirit because his brother Titus was not there so he did not remain there but went on to Macedonia (2 Corinthians 2:12-13). Paul did not see moving on from the open door in Troas as a problem because he knew the knowledge of Christ went with him wherever he went (2 Corinthians 2:14). We are the aroma of Christ, a pleasing aroma of life to those being saved and death to those perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). Unlike some claiming to preach God’s word, Paul and those with him speak with sincerity as commissioned by God, speaking in the sight of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:17).

 

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians brought them pain with Paul not wanting to come to them in person and inflict more pain. One of the painful areas addressed by Paul was an immoral man among their congregation (1 Corinthians 5). The pain for the Corinthians was Paul commanding them to get rid of the immoral man (1 Corinthians 5:2) and to deliver this man to Satan for destruction of the flesh so his spirit might be saved (1 Corinthians 5:5). Paul now urges the Corinthians to forgive the sinner and comfort him because he may be overwhelmed with excessive sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:7). Forgiving this sinner keeps the Corinthians from playing into Satan’s plans for creating division in the Church (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

 

Paul shares how he came to Troas to preach the Gospel because a door to ministry opened there, but his spirit was not at rest because Titus was not there. Paul interpreted this lack of peace in his spirit as an indication to move on to Macedonia (2 Corinthians 2:12-13). An open door to minister did not necessarily mean Paul should immediately enter with an unrestful spirit. Paul’s ministry was a triumphal precession that spread the fragrance of the Gospel of Christ wherever he went, in sincerity of heart under the commission of God speaking in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).

 

Jesus made it clear that what tells people we belong to Christ is our love for one another (John 13:35). Unforgiveness of any sinner in the congregation does not demonstrate love for one another but this does not mean the Church must condone sin. While Paul made it clear the Corinthians were to excommunicate the immoral man from their congregation, it was so he would have an opportunity to repent, saving his spirit (1 Corinthians 5:5).

 

In our hearts we plan our way, but it is God who directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). When we see an open door before us our inclination is to go through it but if we do not have rest in our spirits, we should wait to see if there is another direction in which God wants us to go. Since we have the Spirit of God within us, the unrest in our spirits may be God directing us in another direction. In this text Paul lets us know that one triumphing in Christ is forgiving and surrendered to God’s direction for their lives. The first step in triumphing in Christ is asking God for forgiveness of sins for we all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and declaring Jesus as Lord of their lives (Romans 10:9-10). If you are reading this and have not taken this first step, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I challenge everyone reading this post to be forgiving just as Christ is forgiving toward us. May God bless everyone reading this post.