Who loves you this much?

Scripture

2 Corinthians 2:1-4 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

Observation

As much as society tries to tell us, life is not about living alone! We may try to hide behind our six foot fences and remote garage doors, but we are made for relationships we are made to interact to love and be loved! Here as Paul starts out the second chapter of 2 Corinthians we see that he loves those in Corinth. He has been grieved by their actions. Not just oh well they have mucked it up, no matter, they will get there, NO WAY Paul is grieved!

How many people have you let close enough to be grieved by your actions? My guess is that for many of you not many people are allowed close enough to be grieved and if they are they are not of sound enough character to notice or point out where you are living in error.

We must break free from our fences (Real and metaphorical) and allow people of Character close enough to be grieved if we are not living as God would want.

Application

Seek out people of Character who will love you and care about you. People who will be grieved about the errors you make!

Prayer

Lord give me wisdom to know who has a character deep enough to love and honest enough to speak openly into my life, give me the courage to allow them close to me, to allow then behind the walls I have built. Lord of all help me and others to deconstruct the walls that keep my world safe and comfortable.