2 Corinthians 1:12-14 (Loving Conflict)

¹² We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. ¹³ Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, ¹⁴ even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.

If you'll recall, Paul is writing this letter to the Corinthians because he had sent them a previous letter that was apparently quite severe, urging them to remain Christ-centered in their beliefs and conduct.  I think it was probably a loving but strict disciplinary letter, and it was not received as Paul had hoped. (Does this surprise us?  It's pretty normal for people to get mad at us for pointing out their short-comings -- we are usually doing the 'bad stuff' we're doing because we like it!)  To make matters worse, some men then came to their town claiming to be apostles, but were instead false teachers, who challenged Paul's teachings and even his authority as an apostle.  The people are turning away!

So, you could say Paul is in a bit of a conundrum.

For the next 2 chapters, he is trying to prove his authority as well as his love for these people, since he had spent 18 months with them when he first came to Corinth.  They know him.  But as soon as he was no longer with them, it appears that many have gone back to their old ways.  Oh, how we need a Shepherd, don't we?

Paul's visit made him sad to see how they were living; so he sent a stern letter; that backfired and now people have really turned away from him.  And now here, in these verses, we get to see how Paul is choosing to move forward with these people.

"We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings."  Here is what he does have going for him.  He knows deep in his own heart, and with no shame or regret, that he has lived a holy life (with God's help) and has been genuine and honest in what he does.  If we're going to lovingly point out the sin in someone else's life, or even just spur them on to doing something better, we had better be a living example ourselves!  In order to do this, we need to know what it means to live a holy life, and we need to choose to be genuine and honest in everything, not making ourselves out to be better than we are.

We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom.  Ahhh, yes.  Here's another kicker.  Keep the pride low!  When confronting another, we need to remember "there but for the grace of God go I."  Anything good in my life, including my choices, is a gift from God.  He is the one who allows me to even understand His wisdom and gives me the desire to do things His way.  I am nothing, absolutely nothing, without Him.  And may I remember my own sin, because even on our holiest days, we are still not perfect.  May I get my mind in THAT position before I ever talk to someone about their short-comings.

Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand.   And let's be sure of this -- no beating around the bush or using fancy, highfalutin words that make us feel powerful and the other person feel small.  There is nothing that erks me more than being around people who use words and knowledge I don't understand and obviously feel superior by doing so.  Instead, I want to think about my audience, and let my eyes and tone do the talking as for the condition of my heart.

I hope someday you will fully understand us, ¹⁴ even if you don’t understand us now.  Here is the most challenging part of all: you can do all of these things perfectly, but the results are still out of your control.  As much as we may wish good for someone, they have to wish it for themselves, too.  We can't be more invested in them than they are!  And so, I like how Paul has put it all out there, but then releases the result to God.  He also gives the people the respect to still make their own choices, but he gently lets them know his hope for them.  Wow.  Thank you for that example, Paul.

Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.   He still has hope for them, that when Jesus returns, they will be following Him once again.  It's quite obvious he's not giving up on these people or leaving them completely on their own and washing his hands of them.  And even with all that is going on, he reminds them that he is proud of them.  He is proud for what they have done, and he loves them deeply.

What a great example this is for me as I encounter people today.  And perhaps you have a situation that needs straightening or a conversation that needs to occur...may this be fresh in our minds as we continue one step closer to living like Jesus.