“PREPARING THE CHILD’S HEART”

 

I want to share with you a typical situation found in many homes. It describes the life of a grandfather, a father, and his son. It tells of a problem faced by many. The purpose is to show from the scriptures how to deal with such problems in our life.

The story is a phone conversation between a man and a preacher. The man on the phone was a Christian. It seems he had attended services and Bible classes as a youth. His parents had taught him the truth and made sure he was present whenever the church assembled. As a youth his tender heart was touched by the gospel and he obeyed it. He was eager to serve the Lord and grow closer to him. But, sadly, soon that enthusiasm waned. As he grew older as a teen and then a young adult, the pleasures of this world enticed him and, as Demas, he forsook the Lord because he developed a love for this present world (2 Timothy 4:10).

While in apostasy, he married and started a family. A son came along. A son whom he loved and who was his pride and joy. A son upon whom he rained blessings and gifts. There was nothing he would not give or do for him. Nothing, that is, except what his parents had done for him – “bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

After his son had finished college and went out on his own, he said his mother, the son's grandmother, became ill and needed special care. She moved in with her son so he could attend to her needs. She, in spite of her infirmities, was determined to remain faithful to the Lord. She asked her son to take her to the services of the local church. He did. Worried about her well-being while there, he decided that instead of just taking her, he would go with her to make sure she would be all right. Surely, he thought, he could endure it for her sake.

He felt uncomfortable sitting there. Yes he had sat in pews many times but that had been long ago. He had not frequented a church building since before he was married. Yet, in a strange way, there was a familiarity and a feeling of belonging. At each service he grew more interested in what was going on, more comfortable with his surroundings but more uncomfortable with himself. He finally realized he needed to come back to the Lord. He, to the surprise and joy of his elderly mother, answered the invitation and, with tears, penitently told the preacher how sorry he was for his years of neglect. Prayer was offered and he was restored to his Lord and Savior.

How wonderful he felt. “How great to get my life back on track,” he thought. He sensed a peace that he had not experienced in years. He now attended services with glee. He avariciously read his Bible daily. He started telling everyone about what he had done, how it had made him feel and how they could have that same joy and peace that he was experiencing. He told his son what had happened and invited him to come to services.

But the son would have nothing to do with it. He had his own life now. He had the responsibilities of job and family and he had neither time for nor interest in such things. His father was heartbroken. He repeatedly tried to get his son interested in his spirituality all to no avail. Finally his son let him know very plainly that he did not want to discuss the matter again.

So that is why his father called me. His son lives in our city and he thought maybe, just maybe, I might be able to do what he could not -- get his son to listen to his need for the gospel and Christ. I knew that the years when his son could have been easily touched by the gospel were past. They were the formative years when he was under his father's control when his father neglected to teach him the ways of the Lord and set a proper example before him. Yes, the gospel still has its power to convert but not in a heart that is hardened to it or in a person who sees no need for it. The father agonizes over the lost opportunities he had to teach his son as his godly parents had taught him.

Parents, remember that when you neglect your service as Christians, you are impacting the lives of your children. Do not let your neglect contribute to your children being lost. Do not let this sad story be repeated in the story of your life. Please read at this time Psalm 78:3-8.

8/14/21 

"MY" blood..."MY" church... ~ A PARALLEL

"MY" blood...                     MY" church...

Christ shed His own blood (Matthew 26:28a). We may properly refer to it as the blood ‘of’ Christ. Let us consider some lessons from this phrase ‘the blood of Christ’ as it applies to Christ’s church. Jesus said the shedding of His blood was going to be for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28b). Paul stated that Jesus shed His blood to purchase the church (Acts 20:28). These purposes are one and the same because those in His church are those who have had their sins remitted. To have one’s sins remitted is to be “in” Christ’s church. There is a connection between the two and lessons to be learned from that connection, one of which is proper/improper concepts of Christ’s church.

 

Jesus foretold of the shedding of His blood by saying that He was going to ‘build’ His church (Matthew 16:18). This ‘building’ was also connected to the remission of man’s sins, because His blood had to be shed before sins would be remitted (Hebrews 9:22); and before the church would be purchased (Acts 20:28). The church being ‘built’ and being ‘purchased’ mean one and the same thing because the blood was shed for that purpose.

 

If Christ was to speak beforehand of the shedding of His blood in the manner in which He spoke of building His church, He would have said “I will shed My blood”, as He said “I will build My church”. We know this to be accurate, because He spoke beforehand of the purchasing of the church with His blood in this way. If we were to refer to Christ’s blood, we could express it in a number of ways: “Christ’s blood”; the “blood of Christ”, or “the blood belonging to Christ”. Since Christ was God in nature (John 1:1); it would be proper to refer to His blood as the blood “of God”, as long as we understood that it was the Son, not the Father, who shed blood.

 

There are lessons to be learned about Christ’s church through an analogy of the church and the blood. Christ shed his blood for “the world”, [‘for God so loved the world’ ~ John 3:16]. But would it be proper to refer to Christ’s blood as the “blood of the world”? The church began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1, 41). But would it be proper to refer to Christ’s church as the “Pentecost church”, naming the church after the day? There was a response from those who desired remission of sins on this same day (Acts 2:38, 41). That response was repentance and being baptized in water. But would it be proper to refer to Christ’s blood as the “blood of repentance”, or the “repentance blood” simply because those on the day of Pentecost responded in repentance (v. 41)? Likewise, does it seem proper to refer to the Christ’s blood as the “baptism blood”, or the “blood of baptism”, because those on the day of Pentecost submitted to baptism?

 

Would these designations of Christ’s blood be proper? Again, WHOSE BLOOD IS IT? Christ DID speak beforehand of purchasing, or building His church. He said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). As we would refer to Christ’s BLOOD in the manner shown above, we would refer to Christ’s CHURCH, in like manner. We would say, “Christ's church”; the “church of Christ”, or “the church belonging to Christ”.

 

Those who have had their sins remitted, are to follow a pattern or method in how they worship, and in how they are to work together in spreading the gospel and in the work of building and strengthening one another up. But is it in order for the church to be called after the method, i.e., the “method” church?

 

There is a pattern or method to follow in how those purchased by Christ's blood are to be fed and protected (Acts 20:17, 28); but is it in order for the blood/church to be called after its leaders, such as the “elders church”? Would these designations seem in order? Again, WHOSE CHURCH IS IT?

Let us remember the words of the apostle Paul:

 

“... in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” ~ Ephesians 2:13

 

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins...” ~ Colossians 1:14

 

“...if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” ~ 1 John 1:7

8/7/21

 

“IN THE APOSTOLIC AGE…”

Edward T. Hiscox, in his book, “Standard Manual For Baptist Churches”, said on page 22, under the heading of 'Church Membership': 

“It is most likely that in the Apostolic age when there was but ‘one Lord, one faith, and one baptism’ and no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church, and at once endowed him with all the rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense, ‘baptism was the door into the church.’ Now, it is different. . .” 

I want you to notice this part of his statement:  “WHEN NO DIFFERING DENOMINATIONS EXISTED”. This admission of ‘no differing denominations’ is exactly what was true… “IN THE DAYS OF THE APOSTLES”! We read that Jesus built only one church…HIS church; not churchES (Matthew 16:18). The gospel even affirms that there is only one gospel. “I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7). Mr. Hiscox’s confession that in the Apostolic age there was only ONE, is indeed the truth! 

How then did the ‘differing denominations’ come into existence? The gospel is very clear in explaining how they began. One thing is obvious…they began AFTER the APOSTLES! They began as a result of men who preached a different gospel from what the apostles preached! That is why denominational doctrines (plural) differ, not only from the apostles' doctrine (singular); BUT FROM ONE ANOTHER. 

The early church continued steadfastly in the “apostles' doctrine” because that was the ONLY doctrine that was preached for a few years (Acts 2:42). It can be, and must still be preached today.

In order for a church to be “of Christ”; the same “form of doctrine” (Romans 6:17), that the apostles preached in the book of Acts must be preached about how a sinner is to “call upon the name of the Lord”. The gospel teaches that in baptism, a sinner puts on Christ (Galatians 3:27); that baptism is in order to receive remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 3:19). Baptism was the door into Christ’s church. That is what the apostles taught! The apostles’ doctrine was one and the same as the gospel. It is not different now.       

The apostles’ doctrine regarding marriage as being between a man and a woman must be preached today (Ephesians 5:31-33). The same is true of divorce and remarriage (Romans 7:3; 1 Corinthians 7:11); of acceptable worship (Philippians 3:3); of church government being by a plurality of pastors rather than a one-man pastor over multiple churches (Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1); and of the exercise of, and submission to authority (1 Corinthians 11:3; 14:34; 1 Timothy 2:12; Titus 2:5). It is not different now.  

Jesus prayed in John 17:20-21 for all of His disciples to be UNITED, not DIVIDED! This is also true of unity in teaching! If the same doctrine is preached and obeyed, that division will end and unity will abound. Preachers have a responsibility to teach what the apostles of the Lord preached - - - ON EVERY SUBJECT!

Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus:

1 Timothy 1:3 - As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they TEACH NO OTHER DOCTRINE...

1 Timothy 6:3-5 - If any man teach otherwise, and CONSENT NOT TO WHOLESOME WORDS, EVEN THE WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND TO THE DOCTRINE WHICH ACCORDING TO GODLINESS; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF.

Titus 1:10-11 - For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: WHOSE MOUTHS MUST BE STOPPED, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Titus 1:13 - WHEREFORE REBUKE THEM SHARPLY, THAT THEY MAY BE SOUND IN THE FAITH...

Remember, “differing” churches exist because of “differing” doctrines. In the Apostolic Age, there was but one doctrine (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:23a; 14:37). 

8/1/21

“OPPORTUNE TIME”

Quite often we see only one lesson from a passage. The mention of Jesus’ time as ‘not yet here’ is one of the things He repeatedly told His disciples (2:4; 7:8, 30). Later He would say of His time that it is ‘at hand’ (John 13:1; 17:1). But notice that Jesus also made mention of their time; i.e., “YOUR time”. That has as much relevance to us as disciples today as it did to those of Jesus’ day. Our time is always opportune. Because of that, Christians need to be ready at all seasons. Why is this so? How do we go about doing it, and what needs to be done?

While there is mention of “in season” and “out of season”, in connection with preaching, it is always opportune to be ‘instant’ in other ways.  To be instant means to be ready; prepared.  These words had special significance to Timothy and Titus as young preachers. Timothy was told to, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2). Titus was told in regard to his preaching to, “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.” (Titus 3:1).

The reason for these admonitions to Timothy and Titus was because opposition to sound doctrine was upon them. They needed to be ready to stand firm in the face of those who were on the verge of turning their ears away from truth unto fables. Titus was to stand firm in speaking of responsible and fitting behavior of aged brethren as well as younger brethren. Titus wrote, “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

It is always fitting to act in such a way that our lives would be worthy of imitation. The reality is, our manner of life is the only ‘bible’ that most will ever read. What do they conclude about us? Paul wrote in Philippians 1:27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel”. He urged the Christians in Ephesus to, “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1).

The time is always opportune for spouses to be instant in regard to strengthening their vows to one another. This is done by praying together, being loving and affectionate to each other, and addressing the respective needs that each have. As parents, the time is always opportune to exemplify to a child how to restrain anger by doing so in your own life IN FRONT OF THEM! Through your example, teach your child how to control your tongue when under pressure and temptation to speak rashly and harsh. Teach them by not gossiping, and slandering someone IN THEIR HEARING! Show them what self-control is like. Then your words will be effective when you speak to them.

Be instant in preparing for situations that we know we will encounter. Two things will occur each day of our lives: trial of faith and opportunity to teach. Our faith needs to be our guide in all matters. We must make sure that our faith is based upon God’s word and not a perversion of it (Romans 10:17; Galatians 1:6-9).

We need to understand the benefit of having our faith put to the test. James wrote, “Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4). Peter likewise explained why we ought to greatly rejoice when our faith is tested, saying “…that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

God has called us by the gospel for this reason. Let us heed the admonition of the apostle Paul in this regard and, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” (Colossians 4:5).

“INALIENABLE RIGHTS!”

Today being July 4 we are reminded of America’s declaration of independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence that was framed by the founders contains the following statement: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’. This language states that these inalienable rights were from God. The Bible certainly teaches this. God is the source of life (Colossians 1:16).

The Bible also teaches that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness was what God purposed for man. It was why God made us in His image and gave us commands. That God made us capable of understanding these commands is seen from what is recorded of Adam and Eve. God commanded them in regard to what was permitted and what was forbidden (Genesis 2:16-17). That this was understood is seen from Genesis 3:2-3. Life, liberty, and happiness was theirs so long as they obeyed God. So also was this true of the Israelites. Moses admonished them to choose life by obeying the Law from Mt. Sinai. “I have placed before you today life and happiness, and death and adversity…I have placed before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:15, 19).

Clearly, life, liberty, and happiness is our choice. They are the inalienable rights God gave to us. These words from God were Israel’s life (Deuteronomy 32:47). We have a greater inalienable right from Jesus. The life God purposed to us through Him is eternal. This life is also in His words, but we must choose them over all else. (John 6:47, 63).

God, by virtue of being the Creator of life, has the inalienable right to create and destroy. He has the right to dictate how His creation is to function. These rights are not transferable unless God so chooses to endow them to another. Whatever rights man may claim as his inalienable rights are only those God has decreed. Let us consider some of God’s inalienable rights:

AUTHORITY: Authority is inherent with God by virtue of creation. He created life and life depends upon God. Job acknowledged of man that, “…his days are determined, the number of his months is with thee, and thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass.” (Job 14:5). Because of this, when any man or government makes declarations regarding human rights, those declarations must be in accordance with God’s utterances. (1 Peter 4:16). God alone has the right to delegate and designate His authority. When He did so, He declared it in His word. When Israel became a nation, God designated Moses. The words God spoke by Moses were not to be altered (Deuteronomy 4:2). Moses’ authority was at times challenged. Korah’s rebellion was one such example (Numbers 16:3). Korah and those with him came to Moses asserting, “Ye take too much upon you…wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the assembly of Jehovah?” God’s punishment was just and righteous because delegating authority is His inalienable right. Israel often chose to do what was right in their own eyes (Deuteronomy 12:8; Judges 17:6; 21:25). Doing so did not bring them life, liberty and happiness. It is only in the acceptance of God’s oracles that we have inalienable rights. God endowed Jesus with His authority while He was on earth (John 5:21; 12:49). He could forgive sins (Luke 5:24); and spoke forgiveness three times because of this right (cf. Matthew 9:2; Luke 7:48; 23:43). After He was raised from the dead, He was then given all authority (John 17:2). Jesus then had the inalienable right to delegate authority to the apostles, which He did (John 17:6-8). Therefore all that they bound on earth through their preaching, had already been bound in heaven (Matthew 16:19).

SALVATION TERMS: God has the right to dictate the terms of our salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:17-18; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:20-21).

WORSHIP: God has the right to determine how He will be worshiped. (Deuteronomy 12:29-32; John 4:24). Any voluntary humility, worship of angels, or ‘will’ worship are not inalienable rights (Colossians 2:18, 20-23).

VENGEANCE: Romans 12:19 states, “Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.” Because of this, God’s oracle to us is: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

JUDGMENT: Only God has the right to judge (John 5:22). Our judgments must be righteous (John 7:24).

MARRIAGE:  The marriage relationship was created for man by God. It is a God-ordained institution. Therefore God has the right to condemn fornication and adultery. “Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4).

ADOPTION THROUGH JESUS: “…having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Ephesians 1:5).  John wrote of Jesus, “…as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

“If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36). In Christ, we are not free to sin; we’ve been freed from sin (1 John 1:5-10). Let us ^“Live as free men, yet without using your freedoms as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16).

“…BECAUSE YE BELONG TO CHRIST…”

Belonging to Christ is the greatest blessing man can have. It not only brings reward in this life but in the life to come. We read of this dual reward in Mark 10:28-30, “Peter began to say to Him, ‘Behold, we have left everything and have followed You.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life’.”

This statement came on the heels of Jesus’ conversation with a rich ruler who had asked Jesus about the requirements for inheriting eternal life (Mark 10:17). Jesus’ reply was to observe the law (Mark 10:19). He had done this (Mark 10:20). Jesus then, out of love for him, told him of one thing that he lacked. That one thing stood between him and Jesus. We read, “Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me’. But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.” (Mark 10:21-22).

As you read the words above, do you truly understand what this ruler lacked? I fear that with many of us, it is the same problem. Jesus spoke on this same matter to His disciples in Luke 12:33-34, “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Job prayed: “If I have made gold my trust or called fine gold my confidence, if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant or because my hand had found much, if I have looked at the sun when it shone, or the moon moving in splendor, AND MY HEART HAS BEEN SECRETLY ENTICED, and my mouth has kissed my hand, this also would be an iniquity to be punished…for I would have been false to God above.” (Job. 31:24-28).

Where is our heart? The answer lies in where our treasure is. This ruler’s covetousness of his earthly wealth stood between him and Jesus’ offer of eternal life. He couldn’t have both, yet that is what he was attempting to do. Yes, he had kept the law. But he had also kept his riches. As long as he could keep his riches, he would keep the law. Read that last sentence again. Is that how it is with us? Is our mindset, I will follow Jesus AS LONG AS I CAN KEEP ______________ (fill in the blank with your treasure).

Covetousness will keep us from eternal life. But what about this life? Will it cause us to lose anything in THIS life? Consider 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” Covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). The idol is selfishness (Luke 12:21). Covetousness will keep us from belonging to Jesus.

It is interesting to ponder what prompted this ruler to come to Jesus. We simply aren’t told whether it was out of sincerity or out of guilt. Either way, this we do know. He left sorrowful upon being told to part with his possessions. His love for them was too great. Was he happy? Perhaps, but again, we do not know. Many a rich person can be generous with his wealth. Generosity is a good trait, but being generous is not the issue here. Remember a lawyer also asked Jesus the same question as this ruler (Luke 10:25). We know he sought to justify himself. The issue is this: whatever we hold dear, be it money, family, prestige, traditions, or even self; are we willing to give it up to follow Jesus?

We need to be reminded of the words of a hymn that teaches the truth about earthly treasures: “Earth holds no treasure, but perish with using…”. Belonging to Christ brings a treasure that will never perish. Peter called it “…an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). 

Let us trust in what God said about the way to be happy in this life and in the next life. Let us set our hopes, “…on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

7/11/21

NEW COVENANT CHARACTERISTICS: “DOCTRINE, REPENTANCE, & COMFORT”

“Therefore we are comforted.” These words come from the apostle Paul.  He is describing a comfort that is unique to Christians.  It is based upon the fellowship that they have because of the gospel (Philippians 1:5; 4:15).  The reason for his comfort is attributed to the news he received of Corinthian brethren.  The Bible teaches that this comfort is unknown outside of Christ.  It is based upon a particular behavior that is ONLY produced by those who are growing from the ‘sincere’ milk of the word (1 Peter 2:2). 

Paul attributes comfort to God. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are partners in our sufferings, so also you are in our comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

Paul points out how this comfort abounds to himself and his companions, as well as to the other apostles.  They held a unique position in the kingdom. In chapter 2:17, we read, “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.”  They were entrusted with the gospel (Galatians 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:4). Their message was a ‘ministry of reconciliation’. It is from their message of reconciliation that ‘comfort’ came to them from God, thus, God is the ultimate source of comfort (2 Corinthians 5:11-20). 

While God is the source of comfort, the context of 2 Corinthians 7 is specific as to how God provides this comfort.  The means through which comfort from God comes is in accordance with His eternal purpose for man.  This comfort was purposed to come as a result of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.  By it we are reconciled to God. This is why the gospel is a message of reconciliation.  The comfort that Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 7 spans a period of time and a sequence of events within the congregation at Corinth which was also prompted by news.  The initial news was in part why Paul wrote his first epistle. It provides the background for the comfort mentioned here in his second epistle.  In both instances, it was because of his concern for their souls that he addressed this ‘news’ of the circumstances within the congregation at Corinth.  In the second epistle, Paul describes his joy in chapter 7:4-13. There are many lessons for Christians in this context. A few such lessons are: how they can have joy in the midst of affliction; God’s comfort during their afflictions; there is a right way to grieve over afflictions and a wrong way to grieve over them (godly grief/worldly grief). We also learn that grieving does not save, but ‘leads’ to salvation. 

While all of these lessons are connected by the context; they point to a greater and more important lesson: repentance.  Repentance is an action that God has required of all men (Acts 17:30-31).  Genuine repentance will reflect a change in behavior in a specific way…a manner that evidences your change of attitude toward God’s word.  Since sin constitutes disobedience to God’s commands; forgiveness for that sin would necessarily involve obedience to those same commands of God.  It is impossible to repent without this specific change.  

This is why repentance is inseparably tied to the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42) and a part of the ‘form of doctrine’ they delivered to those in need of being made ‘free’ from sin (Romans 6:17-18). But godly grief is not repentance. It produces repentance, i.e., it is the motive for repentance. Repentance is accomplished through a particular behavior befitting the true gospel. The remainder of 2 Corinthians 7:13-16 explains the key component of true repentance and links forgiveness from God to man’s attitude and response to God’s word to man.

What was it about the Corinthians that brought joy, comfort, and refreshment to Paul and Titus?  What was it about the Corinthians that caused Paul and Titus to boast; to have affection and confidence toward?  Their repentance?  Certainly so, but what prompted their repentance? It was the message of truth; the gospel. This is why true repentance is tied to the true gospel message.  The key component of repentance as found in these verses is tied to their faith, and their faith is tied to the gospel message delivered to them (Romans 10:17; 6:17-18). 

The motivation to repent is with a view to be made “free from sin”. Only the doctrine of Christ will produce godly sorrow in man’s heart. Only godly sorrow will work repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). Only repentance will lead us to eternal life (Acts 11:18). This is the comfort that comes to all who trust and obey.  

6/28/21

rdb