with Elder Elico Manenji
✝️From the previous chapter, the Apostle exhortsJ the Corinthians to receive him and his team with great love and affection. He had been distressed in Macedonia until he met with Titus who told him.about their well doing in the gospel. He rejoiced that his first letter had worked some reformation amongst them although they were affected by the contents of it, it worked however a change in their lives. So his rejoicing and boasting about them became a sensible truth for Titus had done a great work amongst them.
*1️⃣2 Corinthians 7:1-11: A purified life is the work of true repentance.*
⏹️The Apostle says, _"Having these promises... let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."_ The promises he mentions are God's divine indwelling by His Spirit within us, His divine manifestation in.the life of a believer, His divine covenanting with us in the person of Jesus Christ who redeemed and saved us from sin works in mankind His divine acceptance and adoption as God's eternal children. The Apostle says, *"And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body"(Romans 8:23).*
⏭️These divine attributes should work in us holiness as we daily flee from worldly lust and filthiness in the fear of God to casts out the cause and love of sin in our lives. Jesus said, *"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God"(Matthew 5:8).*
⏹️The fear and love of God works in mankind the perfection of holiness that comes by the working of faith true worship, obedience which is a product of holy service. The Apostle says, *"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord"(Hebrews 12:14).*
*2️⃣2 Corinthians 8:12-16- Genuine sorrow for sin brings rejoicing in the Lord.*
⏹️Church discipline should workout reformation to the offender and for the good of the Church which should bring rejoicing. The prophet Isaiah says, *" I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels"(Isaiah 61:10).*
Jesus said, *" And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost"(Luke 15:6).*
⏹️True liberality is a Christian grace and not a burden. We get this grace by our consecration to God as we receive from Him so we too must give first to Him as we receive. The Apostle says, *"Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver"(2 Corinthians 9:7).*
*🅰️Appeal*
Sin occasions general grief and so repentance and reformation occasions great comfort and joy for godly sorrow works our repentance. Genuine sorrow for sin glorifies God, it is a credit of the gospel and an advantage to mankind. The Apostle says, *"For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death"(2 Corinthians 7:10).* Amen!!!
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704)
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