(2Co 7:8) “For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.”  When you love people, you do not wish to hurt them, but to help them. Yet, that desire not to hurt cannot keep us from doing that which is best for the whole church. This is very hard to do, but necessary. Remember what has been taught, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (1 Cor 5:6).

(2Co 7:6) “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; (7) 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.”  The greatest experience upon this earth is to love and be loved. Here before us is one of the wonderful results of loving and being loved. The Lord God desires us to love Him with all our hearts, soul, mind, and strength. He commands us to give such love to even our enemies.

(2Co 7:5) “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.”  Being saved, walking by faith, trusting the Lord, doesn’t mean at times we are not subject to concerns (fears). We are still living in this old flesh. It means we endure knowing that the Lord is still in control and nothing should be allowed to stop us from serving God.

(2Co 7:4) “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.”  Did you catch the secret to being joyful in tribulation? It comes as a blessing from the Lord as a result of where the mind is placed. Joy comes when the mind is focused upon His glory rather than our trial.

(2Co 7:4) “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.”  Why? Because Paul had received word that they had responded rightly to the rebuke and instruction of First Corinthians (v.6-7). When God’s people demonstrate their love and desire to do right before God, it is a wonderful thing to behold!

(2Co 7:3) “I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.”  The preacher has to keep in mind that his people may not be as spiritually minded as he thought. Therefore they should be reminded that correction of action’s motivation is not self’s desire, but their good.

 (2Co 7:2) “Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. (3) I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.”  There are all types of people in among the saved, the family of God. The pride of some when lovingly rebuked will cause them to react wrongly. The desire to please God in others will cause them to love you more.

(2Co 7:1) “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.”    If one chooses to see the word “fear” as a deep reverence, shouldn’t that reverence be demonstrated in searching God’s Word, seeking to adhere to its teaching throughout?

(2Co 7:1) “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.”  The promise is this: If you and I will keep ourselves from close bonds with the lost:  (2 Cor 6:17) “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,…”, this will be the result, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”. Therefore work  not only to keep oneself holy, but also to increase in holiness.

(2Co 6:14) “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:…(17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,…(18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”  We have a tendency to see verse 18 only from a benefiting  view towards self. But it is also an informative view of responsibility. Being saved brings with it a desire and need to separate from this old rebellious world. Does that speak of your own experience? If not, maybe you are yet to be truly saved.