Twin City church of Christ Blog
“June 17, 2024 - The Power of Hard Words”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsThe Power of Hard Words
Reading: 2 Corinthians 7:1-9
Paul keeps imploring the Corinthians to “make room in your hearts for us”(2 Cor 7:2). His heart is on his sleeve: “We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one…you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together”(2 Cor 7:2, 3). There is no reason for them to reject Paul—he has been utterly sincere and only done them good—yet they are holding back their hearts. As evidence of his openness, he again describes his emotions: “great boldness…great pride…filled with comfort…overflowing with joy”(2 Cor 7:4). This is not flattery; Paul is leading with his heart.
He also details his anxiety over their reception of his “painful letter,” picking up his thought from 2 Cor 2:1-4, 12-13. While awaiting Titus’ news of the Corinthians, “our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus”(2 Cor 7:5-6). Paul is wrestling with his deep concern: will the Corinthians reject him, the will of God, and Christlike attitudes toward sin? Yet he receives wonderful comfort from Titus’ arrival with the news that they have received his rebuke well (2 Cor 7:7). “For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that the letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting”(2 Cor 7:8-9). Despite all the grief it caused them and all the concern it caused him, Paul is thankful that his hard words made a difference.
Sometimes we need rebuke, but hard words are hard to take. They sting us. We get defensive and lash out. Or we attempt to discredit the speaker. We may even cut off anyone who says things we don’t like. This scene shows us the power of hard words to alert us to needed changes. Others (especially our brothers and sisters in Christ) can see our blind spots and give us vital insight. They love us enough to brave our displeasure and speak into our lives. Hard words can transform us, but we must receive them.
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One Thing to Think About: How do I typically react when others challenge me?
One Thing to Pray For: Wisdom to know when and how to give hard words to others
