Friday 23rd June
Read 2 Corinthians 12:20-21
“For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.” (NIVUK)
The temptation to gloat over the sin and misfortune of others is great. It helps our own self-esteem to know that we are ‘holding it together’ better than others. But Paul will have none of that attitude. He is genuinely fearful that when he arrives he will find the sins of the flesh, the thoughts of the world, embedded in the lives and loves of these Corinthian believers. He will grieve and mourn. There is no gloating present at all – his concern is only for their spiritual well-being and anything that reveals weakness will humiliate him. Is this really our attitude to the sin and pride of those around us when we see they have stumbled? Let us pray for each other like Paul…
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11) (NIVUK)
