The first part of our reading today deals with a very familiar, yet painful issue for the congregation in Corinth. It sounds like they had gone through something traumatic. Many churches today walk through trauma together, such as church splits, pastors retiring, or dealing with sinful behaviors that leave deep hurt behind.
Paul’s message to them now, after the fact, was forgiveness. Paul would even forgive, but how he cautions them is a gold nugget for us, too. “And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.” When we use Christ’s authority and attach it to our forgiveness or our prayer requests, we keep Satan’s schemes away. That was a powerful reminder. Christ’s authority cannot be shaken. Continue reading “2 Corinthians 2:5-17 – Like Sweet Perfume”
