Brave Love

Sometimes relationships hurt so badly. Often because we let our own sin get in the way of really loving people. But at other times it is because we are courageous enough to wade into the deep waters of righteously wounding a friend. In 2 Corinthians 1:23 – 2:4, Paul brought the heat in letter and in person. The Corinthians knew Paul’s heavy hand of rebuke and correction and yet they questioned his motive and doubted his true love for them. Now he makes the decided, intentional, premeditated call to not bring any more strong words. Rather, he backs up and with tears in his eyes leaves their change of heart in the hands of God. What do they do? They call him fickle for not adhering to the visitation schedule he had set out previously. They listen to the words of his accusers and doubt his integrity. Paul, full of tears and anxiety of heart over the Corinthians lack of growth, wants to give them the space to repent on their own and they call him double minded. So, at about this point, I’m outta there. I’m coming up with all kinds of spiritual reasons as to how they don’t want the truth I’m bringing and how I’m not to throw my pearls before swine and a sundry of other lame excuses. What about Paul? No running. No name-calling. No arrogant theologizing. Just tears that in the end they might know the deep exceeding love he has for them. For as much as having Paul as my friend might really hurt, I would long for it for that reason alone. He’s not giving up on me. He’s not going to beat me over the head relentlessly. He’s going to bravely and clearly tell me the truth, not let me squirm away from it, and then patiently, lovingly wait for me to repent. WOW! If that is what Godly love looks like, then bring on the sorrow and pain so I can be more like Christ and I can know the deep abiding love of the body of Christ in my life.