Hard And Bitter Truths

TEXT: 2 Cor 7:8-10 (NLT)

"I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while.

Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.

For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death."

HARD AND BITTER TRUTHS NEEDED

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Prov 28:13). The first epistle of Paul to the church in Corinth was a bombshell. Paul did not mince words in exposing the divisions and fornication that was rampant in the church. He dealth with it bluntly and soberly. Paul was hard and told them the bitter truth. It must have hurt some people but it was what was needed to purify the church. "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you" (1 Cor 5:1-2). Paul was concerned about their eternal destiny not their earthly comfort. It was blunt but effective as it led to healing and genuine repentance.

David committed sin and tried to cover his tracks. Nathan exposed his sin by telling him the hard and bitter truth. David's hypocrisy was laid bare. The truth led him to godly sorrow and geniune reoentance. God had mercy, forgave and restored him. The mercy of God will speak on your behalf in Jesus name.

HARD AND BITTER MEDICINE FOR THE CHURCH

We need the same hard and bitter truth in the church today. The level of immorality and hypocrisy in the church calls for medicines that will address the rottenness in the bones of some believers. The church needs to hear the truth of God's word, not the motivational talk flying around today. The church needs to hear the word that tears into the heart of sin, the word that pierces the heart, the word that leads to godly sorrow and genuine repentance: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb 4:12). Church leaders should not indulge sinners for fear of losing members. The truth sets people free from the bondage of sin. The gates of hell shall not prevail over the church of God in Jesus name.

TIME FOR GENIUNE REPENTANCE

Such truth leads to godly sorrow, true repentance and a lifestyle that pleases God. The result is eternal life with Christ. Worldly sorrow leads to shallow repentance with no foundation and the result is spiritual death. Don't cover your sins, confess them, repent and forsake sin. You will not fall into the eternal pit of sin in Jesus name.

PRAYER:

Father, purge my heart with the word of life in Jesus name.

CONFESSION:

The word of life is in my heart. I will not sin against God.

God bless you. Shalom.