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2 Corinthians 2:1-4
In 2 Corinthians 2:1-4, the Apostle Paul is pleading with the congregation of the church at Corinth to take his past instructions to heart. He has given corrective criticism and it would seem that the “saints” have not taken into account what has been taught as pertaining to implementing what they have learned into their lives, if indeed they have learned anything at all.
Paul is anxious to see growth in the spiritual lives of the congregation of the church at Corinth so that when he returns to them, it would be a joyous celebration in Christ Jesus. Paul then reassures the congregation of the church at Corinth that his constructive criticism has been not for them to grieve (2 Corinthians 2:4), but that they might see through it the love that he has for them.
This is an example of constructive criticism that is not meant to cause grief, but to inspire growth in Christ Jesus.
I’m sure we have all experienced constructive criticism from the giving and the receiving of it. But the important part of constructive criticism is in the way it is given and the way it is received. We have a tendency to be overbearingly condescending when we are giving constructive criticism, and we all have a tendency to be offended when we are on the receiving end of constructive criticism. The Bible teaches us in Galatians 3:26-28 (NKJV), “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” If we are “one” in Christ Jesus, then we should have attitudes that are reflective of the same. Galatians 5:22-25 declare, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” It is not natural for us to reflect these things to one another – it is only through salvation in Christ Jesus and the working of His Holy Spirit in our lives that enables us to be the kind of people that the Bible teaches us to be. Satan will always be trying to keep us from accomplishing the goals of being a child of God, but we must keep our focus on Jesus and trust in Him to help us in time of need – which truthfully, is always.
Dear LORD,
Thank You for the example that You have given us in our Savior Christ Jesus, and for the teachings in the Bible that lead us in instructions of the attitudes and behaviors that we should reflect in our lives as Your children. Please help us each day to be the people that You would have us to be as we seek and follow Your guidance in our lives – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.