With Elder Elico Manenji
✝️The Apostle writes to explains why he had not visited the Corinthians as per his promise. He also wrote to them asking them.to reinstate and forgive the disciplined incestuous person who had shown remorse for his sin in the name of Christ.
He also mentions his disappointment when he did not meet Titus in Troas. Titus was the one who was supposed to brief him on the status of the Corinthian Church. He finally gives thanks to God for the great success in preaching the gospel which is savour of life to them that believe and a savour of death to them that believe not. That their preaching of the gospel was pure and unadulterated doctrine of God among the people.
*1️⃣2 Corinthians 2:1-11: Reasons for not coming to Corinth and his appeal to the Church to reinstate to membership of the incestuous person who had repented of his sin.*
⏹️A fickled, inconstant, variable Church is difficult to manage, as it was a constant thorn for the Apostle to go to Corinth when there so so many inconsistencies and disagreements amongst the church members. The wiseman says, *"Heaviness in the heart of man makes it: stoop: but a good word makes it glad"( Proverbs 12:25).*
⏹️The reason for church discipline is restoration to grace. The winning again of the sinner through repentance is the gladness of the Lord God, the church and the lost soul. The judgment of the church is the instrument of God’s love, and the moment it is accepted in the sinful soul it begins to work as a redemptive force, no longer of humiliation but of comfort in the Lord. The Apostle says, *"Brothers, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted"(Galatians 6:1).*
⏭️Every word of gossip spoken about a brother’s sin that is not prompted by a christian conscience and is not said in love to the sinner and not of the sin is a sin against the mercy and the judgment of Christ. The wiseman says, *"Whoever spreads gossip betrays secrets, but the trustworthy person keeps a confidence"(Proverbs 11:13).*
*"A worthless person concocts evil gossip— his lips are like a burning fire. A deceitful man stirs dissension, and anyone who gossips separates friends"(Proverbs 16:27-28).*
⏭️ So, let christian love prevail, as the church should be a purified society. Every sin committed with impunity corrupts the body of men to which the sinner belongs and the best way to purify the is by removal of the evil. Jesus Christ said, *"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies"(Matthew 15:19).*
*2️⃣2 Corinthians 2:12 -17: The Apostle's uneasiness for not finding Titus at Troas and his confirmation of the work of the gospel as a savour of life and death.*
⏹️The gospel creates relationships that binds mankind to one another. Relationships increases our responsibilities towards each other which causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. The wiseman says, *"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel"(Proverbs 27: 9).*
⏹️Such relationships and attachment to one another is the sweetness of the gospel. The Apostle says the gospel is triumphant as he likens it to a sweet smell that spreads sweet fragrance of life everywhere and to some who reject it he likens it to an offensive stench that kills. The Apostle says, *" But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God"(Philippians 4:18).*
*"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling smell")Ephesians 5:2).*
*🅰️Appeal*
When we remain faithful to the work of God, He brings success in His work and He open doors and opportunity for more hearers of His Word. True believers have constant triumph, for it is God who gives our hearts to triumph in Christ. The Apostle says, *"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord"(Romans 8:37-39).* Amen !!!
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704)
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