For if I have caused you sorrow? 2-13-17

The Lord lead me here today and I wanted to share.  there are many great points here.  First that we are given a promise of forgiveness that should cause us to want to "purify ourselves from EVERYTHING that contaminates BODY AND SPIRIT, PERFECTING HOLINESS OUT OF REVERENCE TO GOD.  Not because we will be punished, though we are sometimes not sure what standards God will hold for us, but because of a mature REVERENCE to God!!  Everything means everything.  Body and spirit means our entire lives: inside our homes, what we eat and drink, how we act and react, how we develop our relationship with God and others and so on.  There is no place in our lives where we should allow (justify) something to be, that could in any way offend His Spirit or break His Eternal Laws.  If you are "sorrowed" by something or someone, listen for the message inside- from God, that will bring you OUT OF THE SORROW by accepting the conviction, making the correction and then moving on.   And  THE REJOICE because God has turned His attention to you and GAVE you a gift of insight that will make you worthy, bring you joy and release you from sin. Blessed are those who read His word.  Shalom

2 Corinthians 7:1-13

1Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance

2Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

5For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

8Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13By all this we are encouraged.