Be Ready to Forgive

Note from today’s Bible reading: 2 Corinthians 2-3

In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he rebuked them for their arrogance in continuing to welcome an unrepentant brother (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). He instructed them to discipline him – not out of animosity, but that “his spirit might be saved” (1 Corinthians 5:5).

Evidently, this course of action worked. So in the second letter to this church, Paul explained what to do next: “Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him” (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).

The process of church discipline was meant to help wake up this brother to the seriousness of his sin so that he might repent. Though it may not have seemed like it at the time, it was an act of love. With this as the underlying motivation, they needed to quickly and completely welcome him back into their fellowship after he turned from his sin.

When brethren sin or fall away, a local church may need to resort to discipline (after other efforts have been exhausted). However, whenever they repent, if we continue to hold a grudge against them, it indicates that our motive was not right, even if the discipline was necessary at the time.

So be ready to forgive. Pointing out someone’s sin and encouraging them to repent is to be an act of love. If that is our motive, we will be eager to welcome them back when they repent.