In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he expressed a great fear for these Christians
But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. (2 Corinthians 11:3)
How was Eve corrupted?
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. (Genesis 3:4)
Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:13)
How about you, have you let that same spirit corrupt your heart? If you have, it will have the same result in your life as it did in the Corinthians lives…
For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find
- quarreling
- jealousy
- anger
- selfishness
- slander
- gossip
- arrogance
- disorderly behavior
Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure. (2 Corinthians 12:20-21)
At the end of the letter, Paul expresses his desire for the Corinthians. Please pay very close attention to the contrast between the things they were doing wrong, and the things Paul wanted them to do right.
Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words:
- Be joyful.
- Grow to maturity.
- Encourage each other.
- Live in harmony and peace.
- Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
- Greet each other with Christian love.
All of God’s people here send you their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:11-14)
This is our desire for you. If you would like to be a part of this, write to us or join the conversation below.