Final Warnings and Appeal to Restoration

As we read the final chapters of 2 Corinthians, the loving father-heart of Paul for the Corinthian Church again comes through.

2 Corinthians 11:15-12:10

His final words are an encouragement and hope—no matter where you are with the Lord, you are near to forgiveness, grace, and restoration.

I remember walking alongside a family in Bundaberg whose young son was critically ill. After a number of days in Bundy Hospital he was transferred to Brisbane for further intensive care. It was touch and go for four weeks. His parents faithfully and lovingly cared for him and their two older children through that emotional, physical, and spiritual time. Loving parents will sacrifice anything for their children. Praise God, he recovered and is a healthy young lad.

As we read the final chapters of 2 Corinthians, the loving father-heart of Paul for the Corinthian Church again comes through. In love, he is correcting them. In love he is rebuking them. In love he is preparing them for his visit. He shares his heart about his worries that when he comes, he will find those who continue to sin against God. But he reminds them that in weakness, we find strength in Christ.

His final words are an encouragement and hope—no matter where you are with the Lord, you are near to forgiveness, grace, and restoration.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All God’s people here send their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Cor 13:11-14 NIV)

May that Christ-like love mark us as his people.

God Bless

Pastor Stephen