Today’s Reading: II Corinthians 2
I’m sorry.
I apologize.
Can you forgive me?
Two of the most challenging things that we can ask for ourselves and others to do is: apologize and forgive.
These two things take a level of maturity and understanding that cannot be comprehended until later in life. As an adult man, it’s hard for me to acknowledge my failure and to make amends for those. Even though I cannot count each time that I have intentionally and intentionally harmed someone, I attempt to reconcile.
In our passage today, Paul is writing the second letter to the Corinthians. One new nugget of wisdom and insight that I was revealed was he is apologizing for his tone in the previous letter and asking the congregation to forgive someone high in the church. He is asking for forgiveness ( apologizing) and he is also asking the church to forgive someone else.
“And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.”
2 Corinthians 2:3-4 ESV
When we apologize we have to understand that we have offended someone. Sometimes it is evident in the way that we have hurt someone… we have spoken to them in a harsh manner; our tone was too rough; or we have inflicted an injury in a way that you can see pain in the other person. Sometimes it is subtle to us such as a slight phrase or word that injures the person. I have been guilty of both forms. As I grow, I have become more aware of my own actions and attempt to right my wrongs as soon as possible.
Apologies have to originate with the offender. It is on them to create the apology and the understanding that they were wrong in the matter. Sometimes the offender has to be made aware of your offense by the other party. Sometimes this is really hard for both parties to understand and reconcile with each other. But in the end, the offender is asking for amends.
“Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—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. 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,”
2 Corinthians 2:5-7, 10 ESV
Forgiveness is where the offended acknowledges the harm and hurt that was done to them and they have made amends with themself. This then releases the offended person from any anguish , anger, or malice to the person. The forgiver doesn’t necessarily forget any of the ordeal, yet they chose to move from being a victim to becoming a victor in their self care.
Both of these acts can be very challenging if we were trying to do them without God’s help. This is why it is a vital part of the Lord‘s prayer.
“and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
We will offend and be offended, but with God’s love we are able to reconcile to each other and find peace.
May we enter this week with hearts and eyes open to give grace and mercy in apologizing and forgiving each others.
Be blessed