Elephants and Railroad cars

June 24, 2021 (Thursday)

 

I often wonder about what Paul had to deal with in the church.  It seems he was constantly defending himself or correcting behavior patterns. Let’s crack open today’s reading and start with some context, “My dear friends, since we have these promises, let’s cleanse ourselves from anything that contaminates our body or spirit so that we make our holiness complete in the fear of God.” [2 Corinthians 7:1 CEB] Paul has just explained the dangers of teaming up with an unbeliever and equating that with the purity of the Temple.

 

Then in chapter 7 Paul makes what seems to be a strange connection. The idea of things that contaminate body and spirit hinder us, and sometimes prevent us, from working toward holiness. Sin, in the church or person, becomes “the elephant in the room.” Always controlling, yet seldom named. The tension between “fear of God” and “contaminates” puts us in an awkward position. Then he hits us with something I feel is symptomatic of contaminates. “Make room in your hearts for us. We didn’t do anything wrong to anyone. We didn’t ruin anyone. We didn’t take advantage of anyone.” [2 Corinthians 7:2 CEB]

 

Paul lived with criticism and accusations. Any minister who is doing their job is going to have them. They are the expected not the exception. Paul is dealing with three common accusations all ministers face: doing wrong, mistreating (corrupting, leading astray, hurting), and taking advantage (cheating, using) of people. Sometimes these are false accusations. Sometimes they are misinterpretations. Sometimes they are accurate. The energy expended to deal with these things are exhausting and distracting. These things are symptoms of deeper issues. Mainly we are controlled by the sinful nature at best, or Satan at worst.

 

In the first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul had to take “the board of education” to “the seat of knowledge.” Go back and read it. It’s very diplomatic, yet brutal. His goal was to produce change. Or as Paul stated, “Godly sadness produces a changed heart and life that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but sorrow under the influence of the world produces death.” [2 Corinthians 7:10 CEB] The word translated “changed heart and life” is commonly translated “repentance.”

 

Unfortunately “repentance” has become a theological/technical word that has become meaningless or misunderstood. Yet, I cannot say it enough, loud enough, or strong enough. Without repentance there is no forgiveness of sin. If you disagree, feel free to take that up with Jesus, He said it first (see Luke 13:3, Luke 24:47).

 

Paul links this to, “For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you…” [2 Corinthians 7:11a ESV] There are times when we lack “earnestness” because we have not fully embraced “godly grief.” We may be embarrassed by “the elephant in the room” but not motivated enough to deal with it. Sure it sucks all the energy out of the room. Yes, it crushes us under the burden it creates. But truth be told, we are comfortable with our pet.

 

A changed heart and life are what matters. Repentance produces fruit. Those course corrections put us back on track. Let’s be honest. There are times and places when we completely go “off the rails.” We had a train parked in front of our house for almost a week. Apparently several cars went too far off the rails and risked the train. The railroad had to stop the train and put the cars back on the track.

 

The reality of our spiritual life is one of maturing and constant course correction. If we let those cars that are off the track go to long, they risk the entire train. We need to maintain a healthy portion of “godly grief” as a guard against arrogance. We must hold to a “white belt” mentality, even if we are “black belt” knowledge and skill.