Paul’s final advice concludes this letter as he prepares for an upcoming visit to the church in Corinth. He warns, instructs, and blesses in these closing remarks. That’s a mini sermon right there!
His warning is more of a clarification as he continues to define his role to them. Paul intends to be their encourager and teacher, but the warning is to be ready for rebuke if that is what they deserve. He says he won’t spare them this time, so that tells me Paul is ready to publicly expose bad behavior and point out poor choices when he arrives.
Paul won’t allow them to stay stuck in their sin. That’s the heart of a strong, faithful leader. It seems like Paul feels responsible for them and their faith journey. Are we, like Paul, unafraid to expose people’s sinfulness in a direct yet loving way? Do we need to take a lead from Paul?
It is all too easy to become lazy in matters of faith and fall back into old patterns. Paul’s instruction then is to “examine” or “test” themselves. In other words, Paul wants them to figure out what motivates them. They might even expose their own sinful tendencies if they went through the motions. The question becomes: Are they (we) living to please Christ or themselves (ourselves)? Do they seek to draw closer to Jesus, or don’t they care?
We are doing just that, drawing closer to Jesus. Each time we read the Bible, we open up our minds and our hearts to receive a message directly from God. The words on the page can speak volumes, just like the gentle nudges we feel each day to stay connected. Those days that we don’t invite Jesus to be part of can be dreary. I like to start each morning with a welcoming prayer of thanks, acknowledging all the provisions and blessings in my life. It’s a great mindset shift, especially after a restless night of sleep (if you ever have a night like that)!
I wish Paul had described our self-examination a bit more. How do we do it? I suppose we look at the choices we make, the way we spend our money and our time. When was the last time you did a “heart check” to see about your connection to Jesus and the work of his Spirit in your life? Paul’s reminder couldn’t be timelier. It’s when things are especially crazy that we need to lean into God’s grace even more.
We can look at what just happened with the elections around the world and feel a certain way. Whether we’re delighted or devastated, we need to remember who our King is. That’s a perspective I wish everyone had. Unfortunately, there are many who put too much attention on worldly leaders that God has allowed to lead. We can think back to the book of Job and realize that God doesn’t always do what we would expect.
Our blessings come from above on a continual basis. We also have an eternal blessing awaiting us one day to look forward to. That is the Good News that Jesus made possible for us with his life, death, and resurrection. We need only believe and trust him with our lives. It’s hard to do that when we’re running after the world’s distractions.
Let’s focus on the blessing and promise Paul bestows for us in the meantime. “Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” Paul knows that if we seek joy, we are seeking the face of Christ. True joy results from following Jesus. Striving to be more Christlike helps with our maturity. We also become better encouragers, choosing to live harmoniously and in peace. If we can do that, not only do we have a better outlook on life, but we receive more of God’s presence in our lives. What a terrific blessing! Thanks, Paul, for your benediction: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, your grace is sufficient, and I thank you for showering it upon me each day. Help me do a better job of examining my heart to make sure it is purely devoted to you. So easily I can get caught up in the noise of the world that I forget you are my provider, my protector, and my guide. Keep my feet on track, and my eyes focused on you and the truth of your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
