Know Your Enemy
Text: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Does a hard, unforgiving heart display the gospel to the world? Of course not. But our enemy, the devil, is tempting us to live in this anti-gospel manner. And many Christians live years in this defeated state.

The Church in Corinth had unified to discipline the leader of the rebellion against Paul. The man repented. Paul now calls the church to follow his own Christlike example by extending grace to the offender. If they are unwilling to forgive and "reaffirm their love for him" (verse 8), Satan will win a victory (verse 11), and the church will suffer.

We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it.  - C. S. Lewis

Does a hard, unforgiving heart display the gospel to the world? Of course not. But our enemy, the devil, is tempting us to live in this anti-gospel manner. And many Christians live years in this defeated state.

A refusal to go to someone who has offended you (Matthew 18:15-17) short-circuits the process Jesus Himself laid out for unity in His church. A failure to obey harms you and, more importantly, harms the body of Christ. Gary Chapman writes, "When one of us offends the other, an emotional barrier is erected between us. The passing of time will never remove the barrier. Barriers are removed by sincere apologies and genuine forgiveness." Preach that truth to yourself today. And if you need to go to someone, go!

Reconciliation is the goal. When a church operates in unity and love, we display Jesus to the world. God, in Christ, forgave you!!  From your new heart, you've been given everything you need to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, and forgiving one another (Ephesians 4:32). 

These truths are for God's glory and our good.