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Day 7 2 Corinthians 7 2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. 3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, who comforts those who are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. 8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. 13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. 14 For if I have boasted anything to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. 15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, while he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. 16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things. A positive letter from a friend causes you to feel on top of the world. You want to do more and be more than you were before. Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth built them up. It brought hope, not sorrow, joy, and comfort. As Christians, you are to build each other up. If you rebuke, it is for their repentance and salvation, not for their destruction. Too many people today rebuke to destruction. Criticize in such a way that the person feels they can do nothing right. There is a right way to rebuke and criticize with positive, not negative words of hope that lifts the spirit and doesn’t destroy it. Let God work in you when you open your mouth. Let your words bring hope not destruction, and people will know you mean them good not harm. David asked God to let his words be pleasing to Him. Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (KJV) Paul built up the church, the body of Christ, with his messages of hope. You can too. Let’s pray: Father, help me use my words to edify and lift up those who need hope in their salvation. Don’t let my words destroy anyone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 6 April 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay