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Day 126 2 Corinthians 2:1 I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? 3 I wrote this to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you. 5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. 6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore, I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 For to this end I also wrote that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. 12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. Many things in life cause sorrow and great pain. No one wants to be the cause of sorrow in a person’s life. They want to cause joy and gladness. Too often the cause of one’s sorrow is a person with whom they have a loving relationship. Instead of pain, people want to bring joy and gladness to the hearts of those they love. Many times, when they do, they will shed tears of joy and gladness. Paul did not want to be the bearer of sorrow to the Corinthians. Instead, he wanted to fill them with joy and gladness so they could give him the same. He told them the tears he shed for them were not for their sorrow, but because he loved them. Paul told them it might seem like punishment because of the grief he bore in his love for them. However, it wasn’t grief, it was love. He told them he wrote to them to test their obedience and to forgive. Those whom they forgave, he forgave so they wouldn’t know sorrow and grief, but joy. In so doing they thwarted Satan’s plans to take advantage of them. Paul then thanked God who always leads them in triumph. To God they were the fragrance of Christ to everyone they met. To those who were being saved they were the fragrance of life. To those who rejected Him, they were the fragrance of death. Paul recognized they did not peddle God’s Word, but with sincerity spoke what was right in God’s sight. Many Christians inflict pain and sorrow to fellow Christians. They point out every flaw in their relationship with Christ. Instead of causing pain and sorrow, bring joy to those who grieve because of the callousness of other Christians. Forgive those who need forgiveness and bring joy and hope to them. Then you will be a pleasant aroma to those who know Jesus and you will lead others to Him through your tears of love. Let God lead you in triumph through Jesus Christ in everything you do. Don’t peddle God’s Word for your gain, but with sincerity present the gospel to those who long to hear what Jesus did for them on the cross. Let’s pray: Father, let me always bring joy and gladness to those who know You. Let me be a fragrant aroma to those who seek Your salvation. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 19 November 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.