Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 2:5-16
Someone once said: “Most people admire a good loser . . . as long as it’s somebody else.” It’s true, isn’t it? We savor victory. From the Little League baseball game to the corporate takeover on Wall Street, the name of the game is to win. The apostle Paul expressed our sentiments when he said, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” With our bent toward winning, we enjoy promises like that. But, the declaration of Paul asks the question, “Into what arenas of life does God lead us in triumph?” It is important to know since there’s a great deal of confusion about it. The preaching that’s popular today is the kind that promises people “outrageous fortune.” However, it would serve us well to reexamine those arenas wherein we may truly experience victory.
Several years back, I passed along a joke in one of my message groups (when they were popular) about two big city coaches who went north to ice fish. Having purchased all the required paraphernalia at a sporting goods store, lines, poles, lures, bait, and a small power saw to cut through the ice, they found their location, pitched a tent, and proceeded to cut a hole in the ice.
Just as they got started, however, they heard a voice call out, “There’s no fish under the ice.” They looked at each other startled and wondered where the voice was coming from. Then, they proceeded with their work. Again, the voice called out, “There’s no fish under the ice.” Both looked up thinking the voice was coming from above and returned to their work pretending they didn’t hear it. The voice thundered a third time.
Finally, one coach could stand it no longer. He stood up and cried out, “Is that you, Lord?”
“No,” returned the voice. “This is the manager of the ice skating arena!”
God may lead us in triumph, but it is important to identify the arenas of life where victory may honestly be experienced. Fortunately, the apostle Paul does not leave us guessing. He clearly identifies those arenas in the passage before us. Observe them and then begin to experience victory for yourself.
Relationships
It is impossible to read 2 Corinthians 2:1-11 without receiving the distinct impression there was a serious relational flaw among the Corinthian Christians. Nobody knows for certain what the exact nature of the problem was. However, in 1 Corinthians 5, we learn of a member of the congregation who was guilty of incest. Perhaps that is the problem to which Paul alludes in the passage before us. In any case, it is noteworthy that the early church took seriously the matter of disciplining errant members. Apparently, the Corinthians had exercised some sort of discipling action against the person or persons responsible for infecting the church’s spirit of internal harmony and external witness in the world. Therefore, Paul said, in essence, “Enough is enough!” In verses 6-8 we see that He instructed,
This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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