2 Corinthians 13
2 Corinthians 13:10-11
- Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
- Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
What is your attitude toward others? Sometimes people can do things that rub you up the wrong way, yet God is not interested. He only wants to know what you are going to do about it. It is like a child coming to their father saying, "She, did …. to me", and getting the response, "So what did you do in return?"
Paul demonstrates this in two ways for us. Firstly he has just spent an entire letter telling the church off, so that when he comes he can be a voice of edification, not destruction. Which are you? We do need to sort out issues, but when we come together it is to edify one another, to build each other up, not tear each other down!
Secondly, Paul instructs us to have that same heart of edification. Are you perfect? Do you comfort others? Are you of one mind with the rest of the body? Are you living in peace with your brothers in Christ? Lord, forgive us as we forgive others is how we are taught to pray, but that leaves us in a quandary if we are not forgiving others.
Pray for a heart of understanding, and use it to build up your brothers in Christ. Find out what is going on so you can be a comfort. Deal with any issues immediately, so when we come together it is to build one another up.
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