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Discussion Forum : Scriptures and Doctrine : Do you pass the test but fail the class?

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 Do you pass the test but fail the class?

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." (2 Cor 2:14)
Hi Guys
I decided to make this Scripture bigger because of the sheer beauty of it. This is a scripture about love and mercy and forgiveness triumphing over judgment.

Paul arrives at Troas and there is a door open for him to preach the Gospel. Yet, Paul has something on his mind, he cannot stop thinking about the man about whom he had written to the Corinthians in what we believe to be the first letter. This man was clearly guilty of sexual immorality, in fact, the sin was something not even found "among the gentiles." (1Cor 5) He was having sex with his step mother, who apparently was an unbeliever as there is no mention of disciplining her, just the man(the church has no business in judging the unbeliever).

The judgment of Paul is to cut off the man from fellowship. This is the most severe of punishments and is not to be underestimated. This judgment parallels the spiritual reality that if a man dies in his sins then he shall be cut of from fellowship with God.

So Paul arrives at Troas and expects to meet Titus there and find out what has happened since he wrote the letter to the Corinthians. Paul has no idea. Paul is not detached from the judgment that he passed. In fact, Paul is in agony over the whole situation. He truly is a shepherd of his flock, deeply concerned and moved for each individual member, whether walking in Christ or having strayed from the path. His heart is for restoration.

Paul has been condemned by many in the world of theology as being unloving and judgmental, nothing could be further from the truth. If you really soak in the Scriptures you will find that our brother Paul is deeply sensitive to the needs of those he has helped "birth," into the kingdom. He is a man full of the love of Christ. Just because a man is full of the love of Christ does not mean that he cannot make tough decisions. Being full of the Lords love is never, ever weak, in fact it is the strongest position that you can take. When you speak the truth in love it is the power of the universe. You can speak the exact same truth without love and it is always powerful, yet without love it is the power of destruction. It is amazing that you can say something that is true, you can "judge ," a brothers actions and be correct, yet, if you say it or judge without love then you are only adding to the problem. When love is combined with truth, only then does it have the power to change for the good.

So Paul leaves Troas, a place that the Lord has anointed him to preach, and sails to Macedonia to meet Titus who is on his way back from Corinth. This situation is so heavy on his heart that he has cannot wait to find out the reaction of the Corinthian church. When he meets up with Titus and finds out that they have embraced his judgment on this matter, he then exclaims "Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." Paul is ecstatic. His joy is overflowing . In fact, he gets sidetracked for the next four chapters of the letter and gets back on track in chapter seven.(praise God for sidetracks)

Paul is using this metaphor "leads us in triumph ". It is a metaphor to describe the Roman triumphant procession through the streets after a great military victory. In this triumphant procession the captives would be paraded down through the main street of the city. In the Roman procession, first comes the general(Jesus) then the officers(apostles) then the priests (all of us)carrying censers filled with incense. Then the captives take up the rear in chains.

Paul's Joy is overflowing because the Corinthians passed the test of obedience. "For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things." (2 Cor2:9)

Paul now knew that their obedience to this hard command meant that they trusted him. Without their trust there could be no real relationship, so their obedience proved their trust. And if they would be obedient and trust him then he knew that they would grow and that they were healthy. This of course mirrors our own walk with the Lord. The only possible way that we can "diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge in every place," is to be in relationship with Him. We can only have a relationship with Him by trusting Him. The fruit of our trust will be measured in our obedience to Him. And this of course leads us to the truth that the word "knowledge," is not talking about head knowledge or your theological abilities, it is referring to the biblical phrase "to know," meaning intimacy. In the same sense that Joseph did not "know ," Mary until after she had given birth to Christ. So, the fragrance of His knowledge means that in every place we bring the presence of Jesus, the light into the darkness.

"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 will be swallowed up with too much sorrow.Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to Him." (2Cor 2:6-8)

So, the test is obedience, and that is one that many people pass. Many people are ready and willing to judge. Yet, in order to pass the class one must be ready to reaffirm their love for those who have repented. By the same token, many people do not love or trust enough to go to a brother and confront the sin. When all is done in love then a sweet fragrance, an aroma of love is diffused throughout the Christian community and the world. Our enemies of hate and bitterness and unforgiveness will be paraded through the public square, they will be put to an open shame , being dragged in chains being the Lord Jesus, His Apostles and priests. On the other hand, what a public disaster if we are taken captive and paraded by our enemies.

So brothers and sister. Do you have the "fragrance of His knowledge?" Are you walking in His presence? Is unforgiveness or bitterness or hatred keeping you out of His presence? If it is, then its time to obey His commands. To forgive is a command, and when you forgive you are being obedient and trusting in Him, and when you trust Him, it is the first step into His presence, it is the foundations of His presence. Its time to be a conqueror, its time to lead your enemies captive , its time to walk down the street for all to see, with Jesus at your head, diffusing the love of Christ to all the world. Today is the day to break your chains, do not be a slave to unforgiveness, but be more than a conqueror for Christ and celebrate in the procession with the saints................................Frank

 2007/8/19 0:01









 Re: Do you pass the test but fail the class?

appolus wrote:
Paul has been condemned by many in the world of theology as being unloving and judgmental, nothing could be further from the truth. If you really soak in the Scriptures you will find that our brother Paul is deeply sensitive to the needs of those he has helped "birth," into the kingdom. He is a man full of the love of Christ. Just because a man is full of the love of Christ does not mean that he cannot make tough decisions. Being full of the Lords love is never, ever weak, in fact it is the strongest position that you can take. When you speak the truth in love it is the power of the universe. You can speak the exact same truth without love and it is always powerful, yet without love it is the power of destruction. It is amazing that you can say something that is true, you can "judge ," a brothers actions and be correct, yet, if you say it or judge without love then you are only adding to the problem. When love is combined with truth, only then does it have the power to change for the good.


moe_mac wrote:
Brother I have made several attempt at conveying this truth but I have not gotten not anywhere close to as well spoken you have in this post. All I can say is Amen and Amen. Bless you
Thanks for the truth and the words.

 2007/8/19 0:18









 Re: Do you pass the test but fail the class?

Quote:
Do you pass the test but fail the class?

For some of us, this is in reverse. We've made the class, but failed the tests.

 2007/8/19 11:04









 Re:

I am not sure you can complete the class succesfully without passing the tests. This is not a work orientated statement but ultimately "you will know them by their fruit." And the greatest fruit of all is love for the world, a very supernatural love........Frank

 2007/8/19 17:37
freedbyjc
Member



Joined: 2004/7/29
Posts: 204
Jacksonville. Florida

 Re:

Excellent insight Frank...we are told that it is not in our power but only by the power of Christ living in us- and through us] that can love this world into salvation.


_________________
bill schnippert

 2007/8/22 8:02Profile









 Re:

So true....It is impossible to truly love the world without Christ, this is the heart cry of God "For God so loved the world." The deeper the understanding of Calvary, the deeper the appreciation of just how much God loved the world, and anything God loves that much, then we must too. That is why when it is all said and done, Calvary is not only a fact, which of course it is, it is also an experience, which it must be. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit, who leads and guides us into all Truth, can we fully walk in the "experience," of Calvary. And as we yield to the Lord, we go deeper, deeper into Him and at the same time His love for the world begins to shine through us as we "become like Him."

 2007/8/22 14:54





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