Forgive And Restore - Paul

I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.

2 Corinthians 2:5-8

General James Oglethorpe, an English philanthropist who founded the colony of Georgia, once said to his friend John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, “I never forgive.” Without missing a beat, Wesley retorted, “Then I hope, sir, that you never sin.”

Wesley wanted Oglethorpe to understand the biblical principle that we must be willing to forgive those who sin against us, just as God forgives us.

The apostle Paul told the Corinthian Christians to forgive a man who had caused him and the church a lot of trouble. Paul even wanted them to welcome him back into the fold to comfort and encourage him.

Though the Bible doesn’t say what this man had done, the story points out that God’s purpose for discipline is to forgive and restore, not to condemn and reject.

Paul apparently shared these believers’ sense of injury over what this wayward brother had done, but he eagerly extended forgiveness and restoration to him. He knew that in so doing, he had given this now-repentant man hope and encouragement.

Who in your life needs that kind of forgiveness and encouragement? As a follower of Christ, be willing and ready to completely forgive those who do you wrong, intentionally or unintentionally. When you forgive completely, you encourage the one who has wronged you and restore a damaged or severed relationship.