2 Corinthians 12:11-13:14 Three Motivations To Change

Paul needed to motivate the church to get things right before his third visit with them.  My commentary said he used three approaches:

He Shamed Them:  "It is a good thing when people can be ashamed of their bad actions or attitudes.  It is evidence of a hard heart and a calloused conscience when a guilty person no longer feels shame."  He shamed them for their lack of commendation, lack of appreciation, and lack of consecration.  "Paul made it clear that his desire was to solve problems and strengthen the church.  Sins in the church must be raced honestly and dealt with courageously.  To sweep them under the rug is to make matters worse.  Sin in the church is like cancer in the human body; it must be cut out."

He Warned Them:  "Prepare Yourselves" and "Examine Yourselves".  "No doubt many of the problems in the church at Corinth were caused by people who professed to be saved, but who had never repented and trusted Jesus Christ.  Our churches are filled with such people today."

He Encouraged Them:  "...by his personal prayers on their behalf, and by the Word of God ... Paul had to tear down the wrong thinking in the minds of the Corinthians before he could build up the truth in their hearts and minds.  The negative attitude of the Corinthians made it necessary for Paul to destroy, but his great desire was to build ... Our God is the God of love and peace.  Can the outside world tell that from the way we live and way we conduct the business of the church?"

Father, please help our church to understand what You showed Paul and to work toward unity as well.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford