The Reporter   
 Volume 48 # 18,  --  May 2, 2008

 

Understanding True Repentance

– Second Corinthians Seven –

 

   God has made wonderful promises to His people. He said, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) God made these promises to us also. We must stay away from everything that keeps our bodies and spirits from being clean. "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1) This appeal of God is simply an appeal for spiritual purity and godliness among Christians everywhere.

 

   In this chapter Paul returned to talk about his search for Titus, the joy he had when he was found and of his thankfulness for how the Corinthians had received and treated Titus and of their reaction to his letter. He said, "Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me;  so that I rejoiced the more." (2 Corinthians 7:6-7)

 

   Paul's earlier letter had caused much sorrow at Corinth. However, it was a good kind of sorrow in that it brought about repentance. Out of deep concern for them Paul wrote that first letter knowing that, "godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (2 Corinthians 7:10) At Corinth Titus observed how the brethren obeyed God with fear and trembling. Paul had much confidence that the obedience of these brethren would continue.  

 

   Perfect holiness in the fear of God – 2 Corinthians 7:1-3: Since God has given us His great promises we should stay away from everything that contaminates and defiles either our body or our spirit. Peter wrote, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1:4) We should honor God in reverential fear. Our goal should be to be completely like Him. The possibility of God's blessings in our life should motivate us to purity of life in Christ. Our bodies are made in the image of God and we must likewise be in His image form the standpoint of godliness. Any "defilement" must be left behind because it is unChristlike! Paul said, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) 

 

   Paul asked the Corinthians to open their hearts again to him and his fellow workers. He had given these brethren severe rebukes. He did not do this in any way to mistreat them, wrong them or cheat them. He rebuked their sins because he cared about them. He said nothing to condemn these brethren. Whether he lived or died he wanted them to know that they were in his heart and that he cared about their eternal welfare. He trusted them completely and was very proud of them. In all his trouble he was still very happy.

 

   God comforted Paul by sending Titus – 2 Corinthians 7:5-8: When Paul and his companions came to Macedonia they were faced with all kinds of problems. They had no opportunity to rest. They were troubled by enemies and troubled by fears. There were real, visible enemies to be dealt with in Macedonia and there was also deep concern over the situation with the church in Corinth. God uses many ways to cheer and bless his faithful people. He sent Titus to bless and encourage Paul. It was good for Paul to know that Titus was safe and it was especially good for him to hear the good news from Corinth. The brethren had responded in a wonderful way to Paul's first letter. Titus delivered the message concerning how sorry the brethren at Corinth were over the mess that they had made in the church. He also let Paul know how concerned they were about him personally.   

 

   Paul had rebuked these brethren sharply and it had made both him and they feel bad. His letter hurt them for a while but it caused them to be genuinely sorry for their sins. Paul felt bad writing the letter like a parent regrets having to discipline a child.

 

   Godly sorrow works repentance – 2 Corinthians 7:9-11: Paul rejoiced because their sorrow and hurt feelings caused them to turn back to God. He had no desire to harm or damage them in any way. He only wanted to help. His hard letter had benefited the church at Corinth. These people were sorry for their sins because they had offended God. This led to true repentance. Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to spiritual life. Worldly sorrow only brings physical and spiritual death.

 

   Godly sorrow caused the brethren to be concerned about their duty to God. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (2 Corinthians 7:10) When they did their duty before God then they could speak in their own defense. They felt indig-nation when they faced the guilt of tolerating the fornicating brother in their fellowship. These brethren became pure when they practiced the discipline required by God. Once that was done they were no longer guilty.

 

   Paul's joy and confidence in the Corinthians – 2 Corinthians 7:12-16: Paul did not write to Corinth to hurt or take up for anyone. He wrote so that they could understand how much God cared about the church there. The entire church was hurting because of the fornication that was being practiced. The church must do its duty when situations like that arise in order to preserve the church and to save the sinning brother. Paul rejoiced because (1) Titus was safe, happy and refreshed, and (2) The brethren at Corinth did what was right before God.

 

   Paul had spoken encouraging words to Titus about the church at Corinth. Now what he had said had proven to be true. Therefore he had no regrets for the praise he had given them. He said, the brethren were friendly toward Titus for having brought the message and they were obedient in their duty toward God.  Paul gained strength and joy from the fact that he could depend upon the Corinthians. "I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things." (2 Corinthians 7:16) Can God depend on you?

 

   Will you allow Jesus to control you life completely? Will you love Him and serve Him with your whole heart? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (Mark 16:16) After baptism be devoted to God in your daily living! (1 Corinthians 15:58)

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Stabler Hospital: Jack Moore (brother of Lou Acreman) and Gladys Warren. In Need Of Prayers: Jimmy Allen, Comer Blackmon, Mae Beverly, Clara Bell Beverly, Louise Brown, Emily Cain, Nell Cates, Billy Wayne Conway, Ann Dean, Roy Goodwin, Judy Green, Montine Hardin, Evan Hartsell, Dianne Hoffman, Linda Holley, Mary Lawrence, Abby Lee, Shaunnie McGough, Jo Ann Moorer, Curtis Newton, Amber Owen (after hospital stay), Mary Powell, Linda Sexton, Don Shirley, Austin Shows, Gene Skipper, Louise Walters, Richard Watts, Donald Williams, and Mary Williams. Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, James Alford, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Wallace Murry, and Myrtle Perdue. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.

 

2. Please Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan: Todd Till and Ben Newton. Pray for them often! Please begin now praying for Jason Godwin and Dennis Phillips Jr. as they will be going to Iraq soon.

 

3. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: May 4th Ricky Bagents, May 6th Nelson Daughtry and Christa Stallings, and May 8th Evelyn Lewis.

 

4. Ladies Night Out: There will be a ladies night out here at the building on May 12th at 6:30 p.m. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.

 

5. Thank You: Thank you to all Walnut Street members who attended the Gospel Meeting at Luverne to support Charles Box and Philip Box as they preached.

 

6. Graduation Invitation: The Senior Class of Greenville High School (Rebekah Ann Stallings) announces its Commencement Exercises Friday, May  twenty-third two thousand eight at seven o’clock in the evening Greenville High School Tiger Stadium.

 

7.  Crowne Health Care: We provide items for Crowne Health Care’s “Yard and Bake Sale”. Our goal is to have at least 25 baked items (cakes, pies, cookies) and lots of good yard sale items. Have all items at the building by noon on May 15th.

 

8. Thursday Class Changed At Crowne: Our class that was scheduled for May 15th at Crowne Health Care has been changed to May 29th at 10:00 a.m. See you there at that time.

 

9.  Shoe Boxes: There is a need for shoe boxes for a craft for Vacation Bible School. Please take them to the Resource Room.

 

10. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) May 4th – Homecoming – Flatwoods Church of Christ – Speaker: Ken Kilpatrick – Time: 10:00 Bible Study, 11:00 Worship, and 12:00 Lunch and Fellowship, (b) May 18th – 21st – Gospel Meeting – College Street Church of Christ, Greenville – Sunday 3:00 p.m. and weeknights 7:30 p.m., (c) June 22nd – 26th – Vacation Bible School – Walnut Street Church of Christ, and (d) July 6th – 11th – Backwoods Christian Camp – Please participate! Please see Darrell Powell or Charles Box if you are interested in participating.

 

11. Vacation Bible School: Mark your calendar June 22nd – 26th at 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. The theme for this year is Christians Under Construction (2 Corinthians 5:1). The five lessons are:  1. Shipbuilding – Noah builds an ark (God’s people are righteous) Genesis 6-8. 2. Demolitions – The wall of Jericho (God’s people are obedient) Joshua 5:13-16. 3.  Masonry – Nehemiah rebuilds the wall (God’s people are hard workers) Nehemiah 4:6.  4. Foundations – The wise man and the foolish man (God’s people are wise) Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:47-49. 5. Durability – Jesus builds His church (God’s people are part of His church) Matthew 16:13-20, Acts 2, Acts 20:28 and Ephesians 2:20. If you did not get a chance to sign up you still can. The lists are on the bulletin board. Let’s make this years Vacation Bible School one to remember!

 

Do Everything With Love

A Mouth That Closes And Ears That Don’t

 

   In a book called “Letters to Phillip” by Charlie W. Shedd  there is a great deal of practical advice for would-be husbands, and in that book, a particular phrase stood out in my mind: “God gave man a mouth that closes and ears that don’t, which should tell us something.”  This principle has helped me in my marriage (sadly, on fewer occasions than I had hoped), but surely other aspects of my life can also benefit from its practice.  I want to briefly mention two of those benefits.

 

   First, by realizing that our mouths close and our ears don’t, one can become a better parent.  Paul said in Ephesians 6:4, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”  Few things will provoke a child more than to have his or her words completely ignored.  If you want to get through to your children, listen to them.  I don’t mean let them run all over you, for that is the plight of families all over the world.  Just let them know that what they think and how they feel matters to you.

 

   Secondly, closing our mouths and opening our ears will help us to serve God acceptably.  “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15.)  Men will always have a way that seems right to them.  God says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”  (Proverbs 16:25.)  In His word, God has given instructions for life and godliness.  (2 Peter 1:3.)  For a Christian, the Bible should be a sufficient guide.  We should not seek to serve God with ideas that men have set forth.  So when it comes to serving God, close the mouth of self-will and open your ears to the will of God.

 

   Our lives would benefit greatly if we would simply remember that God gave us a mouth that closes, and ears that don’t.

                       

- - - - Darrell Powell

 

If you want to defend Christianity – practice it!

 

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)