Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 2:5-11.

 

“⁵ But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree—in order not to say too much—to all of you. 

 

⁶ Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority,

 

⁷ so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 

 

⁸ Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 

 

⁹ For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 

 

¹⁰ But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also;  for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

 

¹¹ so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”  2 Corinthians 2:5-11.

 

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Today’s Scripture covers in more detail the steps of discipline:  punishment, forgiveness, and restoration.

 

Regarding punishment, it is interesting to notice the description of punishment as that “which was inflicted by the majority”.  This punishment was not given by one individual in a burst of anger.  It was given “by the majority” which infers that the punishment was done with sufficient deliberation and order and support of the church as a whole.  

 

Regarding forgiveness, the word forgive or forgiven is mentioned five times.  “Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?”  ^–Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”  Matthew 18:21-22.  As a practical matter, it has been my personal reflection that even though we may sincerely and intentionally forgive someone, forgiveness is not a one-time experience, but rather we later experience from time to time a resumption of feelings within us that require us to forgive that person again in our hearts.

 

Regarding restoration, we read components of “comfort” and “reaffirm your love for him”.  Restoration should not be just a cold restoration to privileges, but it should be done with warm comfort and love for that individual. 

 

Bitterness can creep into all three steps of discipline, and we need to beware of it.  Punishment can be caused by bitterness, and the extent of punishment can be affected by bitterness.  Forgiveness can be pretended or even given sincerely, but bitterness can prevent forgiveness, and bitterness can pop up later to rescind or roll back forgiveness.  Restoration can be delayed through bitterness, and bitterness can cause restoration to be done coldly and ineffectively.

 

“See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God;  that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;”  Hebrews 12:15.  Bitterness is one of the schemes of Satan mentioned in verse 11.

 

But rather, let love motivate and complete punishment, forgiveness, and restoration, so that we are “obedient in all things”.  Verse 9.