2 Corinthians 2:1-11

 2 Corinthians 2:1-11

While the gospel is good news to the lost, we often treat failing Christians in ways that are anything but good news. When a believer has backslidden into a pattern of sin, there are two dangerous responses, both of which are devastatingly bad. One response is to do nothing or even complement the evil. In regard to this, the Corinthians had this pattern among many of the believers. A man was in a sexual relationship with his stepmother, and some in the church actually supported this behavior. The second response to the sinner is to withhold personal forgiveness and to pile on needless shame and guilt. One response fails to take seriously the gravity of sin; the second fails to take seriously the power of the cross and forgiveness. Both failures grow out of a failed understanding and appreciation of love. We cannot say we love someone and see them diving headlong into sin and do nothing. We cannot love someone and refuse the good news of repentance and forgiveness.

Either of these responses is a means by which Satan takes advantage of us or outwits us. The word Paul uses here describes someone who, driven by greed, is a confidence man; a swindler. This describes a man who is a highly experienced con artist who takes a person not with a weapon but with deception. Libertarianism and self-righteous judgmentalism are both Satanic schemes. The word scheme means the mental process to come to the bottom line, especially concerning moral accountability. In other words, the plan of Satan is to have Christians either refuse to confront ongoing sin or refuse to share forgiveness and restoration. This is a long-thought-out process to lead us to moral guilt and ultimately ruined saints.

Church discipline and restoration is not just about having peace in the congregation. It is also about the moral failure that will result from either extreme. Paul says we are not ignorant of his schemes. Sadly, that is often not true in the modern church. The contemporary church is often so focused on other things that we fail to realize that we are being conned by an experienced con man that has a long-term plan in mind. We often have no thought beyond the next meeting or conversation. If we think short-term, we cannot help but lose the long-term struggle.

“Lord, give me the wisdom to call for repentance and to offer Your grace. AMEN”