We all come upon situations where someone is causing pain to themselves, someone else or God Himself. It is sometimes VERY hard to know what our role should be. When we should openly oppose them and when it is time to forgive and comfort them?
This is the issue Paul had with someone in the Corinthian church. Apparently, a man had caused the church (and Paul) a great deal of pain and the church had appropriately opposed him. Now, in 1 Corinthians 2, Paul writes that it is time to forgive and comfort that same man:
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 (NLT)
It was time to forgive him for two reasons. First, he says that their opposition was “punishment enough”. The NASB calls it “sufficient”. Second, he says that further opposition might have made him “overcome by discouragement”. It was time for the church to change their approach. This reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3 that reminds us that there is a time for everything.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NLT)
Is it time to confront or comfort? Time to cry or laugh? Time to search or give up? Time to speak up or time to be silent? Knowing the correct time is sometimes difficult, but consider this:
Don’t assume that yesterday’s correct approach is still appropriate today. Seek God and the counsel of wise people to help discover what time it is. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and be courageous to do what He instructs you to do!
