END TIMES READING PLAN: Zephaniah 1-3
SCRIPTURE READING
2 Corinthians 2:5-8, 10-11 (ESV); Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it…to
all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather
turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg
you to reaffirm your love for him…Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I
have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,
so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
Since Jesus paid such a great price in our redemption, it is no wonder that Paul would write
to the Corinthians, urging them to forgive those who had caused pain due to sin. As we are
called to emulate Christ, we must live with a spirit of redemption, being willing to offer to
others what has been freely given to us.
As was illustrated earlier this month, redemption refers to the buying one out of slavery.
It takes grace and humility to offer redemption to those who have clearly messed up. As
a body of believers, we need to create redemptive community. In our friendship groups,
our cells, our workplaces… we need to be quick to redeem people. We must be quick in
showing grace and forgiveness. We must be wise in handling areas of hurt and sin that
come up. Even punishment must have a redemptive quality to it – a way of lovingly walking
with those who have messed up, helping them come back into alignment with truth.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1) Do you hold grudges, or harbor bitterness and offense? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any
areas where these things are hiding in your life and confess them.
2) Do you strive to create redemptive community wherever you go? Do you work hard
to love and walk with those who have made mistakes? Meditate on today’s verse
and ask God if there is anyone who you have stopped loving or caring about because of
a sin they’ve committed. How can you change gears and show them that you love them?
3) Are you involved in a community of people who support you, and hold you accountable?
If so, thank God for these people. If not, get involved in a cell or ministry where
these are made available.
