I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.
From these verses we can see that the Corinthian’s took Paul’s first letter and instruction the way Paul had intended. They took it to heart, and it was evident to everyone, including Paul, that they had turned things around and put matters right. Indeed, Paul tells them a few verses further on that he is proud of them. It was worth the rebuke, no matter how difficult it was to administer.
How do we react to just rebuke? Do we, like the Corinthians, take it in the spirit it was intended? Does it make us examine our attitude and behaviour and cause us to put things right if we need to? Or do we go in the huff at the risk of damaging the relationship we have with the person giving the rebuke?
What we always need to remember is that it’s not an easy thing to do, and the person issuing the rebuke has taken a risk. But we also need to bear in mind that if done as God intended, it’s to our benefit to pay attention. So, if necessary, let’s take it as we should and make them proud of us.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Paul’s obedience in spite of what it cost. Thank You that the Corinthians were also obedient and all worked out as You intended. Help me to take any advice, or even rebuke in the same manner as the Corinthians. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.