2 Corinthians 7:1-16

 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

There is a widespread perversion of the Gospel, indeed a heresy, that tells us that God wants us to be happy, fulfilled, and prosperous all the time. In some ways this false teaching operates like the ancient Gnostics, claiming that if we learn certain traits, ways of thinking, prayers, or rituals, we will have a breakthrough to the best life possible. Those who teach and believe such things are unfamiliar with this chapter.

Paul begins by saying that the objective we ought to pursue is “perfect holiness.” God’s great agenda for our lives is holiness, not comfort, ease, or outward peace. Holiness is so much the opposite of our fallen nature, our distorted self, and the influence of our world that the process of moving to holiness is inevitably going to be difficult. Paul, in his concern for the Corinthians, describes his time in Macedonia in dramatic terms: without rest, afflicted, conflicted, and with fears. In view of how Paul felt in Macedonia when we look at the lost state of the world, the corrupt state of the church, and our own struggle with sin, and if we are not distressed, then we are profoundly ignorant and selfish in a most damnable extreme. In fact, Paul states categorically that sometimes it is God's will that we are made sorrowful (v. 9). Stop for a moment and think carefully about this point. There are times when God's will for our lives is that we become profoundly filled with sorrow. That is not the ultimate goal for us, but it is a needed transitional passage to repentance. Repentance is a hard thing, not at all easy or comfortable in itself. It is brutal on our pride; it requires rejecting our own worldliness, and it kills our sinful, selfish appetites. Even when it has done its work within us, repentance doesn't leave us with a world of rainbows and unicorns. It produces (see verse 11) vindication: standing boldly for right; indignation: emotional hostility toward evil; fear: of God or a return to evil; longing: a profound discontent for the status quo; zeal: action produced by passion; avenging of wrongs; a purification in the Church of those who will not repent.

No, God's will is not to have us live in the opium of personal peace and affluence offered by worldliness. Rather, he calls us to the struggle to move toward the peace of grace, holiness, and Heaven.

“Lord, break my heart for that which breaks Yours. AMEN”