Thursday: Appeal to the Unrepentant
Daily Lesson for Thursday 17th of September 2026
In 2 Corinthians 12:14-21; 2 Corinthians 13:1-10, Paul informs the church about his third visit (2 Corinthians 12:14, 2 Corinthians 13:1). He had shown that he is not inferior to any of the false apostles and is now confident to come to Corinth once again and try to restore unrepentant members. In fact, this was one of the primary purposes of this visit. All Paul did and spoke was meant for the edification of the church (2 Corinthians 12:19).
Read 2 Corinthians 12:20-21. What sins were jeopardizing the spiritual condition of the Corinthian church?
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The list of sins in 2 Corinthians 12:20-21 is similar to others found elsewhere in Paul’s letters (Romans 1:29-31, Galatians 5:19-21). The first two items appear in 1 Corinthians 3:3, where Paul refers to jealousy and strife among the members in Corinth. Paul fears that things would not be too different by the time of his third visit. He says, “I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish.” Conversely, he says, “You may find me not as you wish” (2 Corinthians 12:20, ESV). This means that rather than dealing with them “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:1, ESV), he would now be “ready to punish every disobedience” (2 Corinthians 10:6, ESV).
His main concern is that those members who had been involved with “impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality” may not have repented (2 Corinthians 12:21, ESV). And it is sins such as these that cause divisions in the church.
Next, Paul focuses on the role of church discipline to restore those in sin (2 Corinthians 13:1-4). Weakness is not an excuse for a sinful way of life. There is power available for those who want to live a victorious life (2 Corinthians 13:4). The fact that some in Corinth practiced sexual sin is evidence that God’s power was not a reality in their lives. Paul wanted them to repent and experience the power that leads to obedience. Disciplining them was the last thing he wanted to do. He says, “We pray to God that you may not do wrong . . . , but that you may do what is right. . . . Your restoration is what we pray for” (2 Corinthians 13:7-9, ESV). What a beautiful prayer! He asks them to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith.
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Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What does it mean to be in the faith? How can you know that you are in the faith? |
In the early 1900s the Seventh-day Adventist Church was wracked with quarrels, jealousy, flaring tempers, taking sides, angry words, vicious rumors, swelled heads, and general bedlam. When you read that history you get a “So What’s new feeling?”
The argument was over the interpretation of who took away “the daily” in Daniel’s prophecy; Pagan Rome or the Papacy. This is not the place to argue the views of these interpretations. On the one side we had W W. Prescott and A G. Daniels, and on the other side, S N Haskell, and S N Curtis. Sermons were preached; articles written in the Review and Herald. Powerful men with strong views pitted against one another.
At the time, Ellen White counselled that the topic be removed from public discussion and that it should not be a test of fellowship nor of the fitness of a minister to minister. She advised the leaders at the time to focus on Christ and not allow the enemy to distract from the true mission of the church.
If only that was the last time that “taking sides” had inflicted the church. Unfortunately, we all love a good fight. I remember in primary school, if two kids started fighting it wasn’t long before every kid in the school was surrounding them, encouraging the fight. Sometimes I see the same schoolyard attitude in church discussions.
When we see “quarrels, jealousy, flaring tempers, taking sides, angry words, vicious rumors, swelled heads, and general bedlam” in the church there is only one cure: put Jesus back in the centre of our focus.
Our Christian faith offers a different opportunity in the hard moments of life: an opportunity to become more like our Saviour. But becoming like Christ sometimes requires us to hear a difficult truth: there is nothing loving about affirming someone in behaviour that is destroying their soul and drawing them away from God. True love does not remain silent while a person continues in unrepentant sin. It warns, pleads, confronts, and points the sinner back to the cross. Jesus said, “If your brother sins, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). Scripture declares, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15). The call is therefore urgent: repent while there is still opportunity; turn from sin and return to the Lord. “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). Repentance is not weakness or humiliation—it is the doorway to mercy, restoration, and renewed fellowship with God.
The purpose of church discipline is not to shame, destroy, or cast aside a person, nor to satisfy the pride of those who administer it. It is a solemn act of love intended to awaken the unrepentant sinner to the seriousness of sin and call them back to holiness. Paul warned the church that “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6), reminding us that persistent, unaddressed sin cannot simply be treated as harmless. Yet even the strongest warning should carry the heart of Christ, who desires that sinners return to Him. “Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Do not mistake God’s patience for His approval of sin. Do not harden your heart when God is calling you to return. There is grace for the repentant, mercy for the humble, and restoration for those who turn back to Christ. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). The door of repentance is an invitation from a loving Saviour—turn back, forsake the sin, receive His mercy, and walk again in the light.
“Weakness is not an excuse for a sinful way of life. There is power available for those who want to live a victorious life.
The above statements from today’s lesson study, have drawn my attention and I want to comment on it. Paul visited the Corinthian church over a period of 7-8 years (three visits). Paul made heavy spiritual investment in this church. Sadly, some members continued to be “infants spiritually (1 Cor. 3:1–3). Chronic spiritual problems persisted in the Corinthian church: Quarrelling, strife, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, slander, pride , disorder and sexual impurity. Paul’s mission to the Corinthians is extremely relevant in our time. One thing which seems to be clear is that sound teaching, sound doctrine, and pastoral care does not guarantee transformed hearts. Even spiritual gifts do not produce spiritual maturity.
Our human weaknesses do not justify us to continue being in sin particularly as Christ has died to set us free from sin. Our victory over sin is not human strength, it is the power of God (2 Corinthians 13:4-5). We have been called to repent of our sins so that the Holy Spirit can empower us to be victorious.
The author asks the question – What does it mean to be in the faith? How can you know that you are in the faith? Theses are very serious questions. They may have been easier to answer if the question had to do with others rather than ourselves.
Our Lord said by their fruits you shall know them. ( genuine deciples or false impersonators). I am saying to you; by your fruits you shall know yourself. Character is not assessed by one or two good or bad things that we do; but by the habitual trend of our actions and words. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matt.12:34
I concur that it is not the easiest of things to admit our personal faults, weaknesses and sinful ways. Nevertheless it is critical to our salvation to be able to respond acceptably when we see “the red flags” of sin appearing in our lives. That is to admit we have sinned, seek forgiveness and ask for power to overcome it. If we have wronged others ; seek them out and apologise.
Apart from the blessing of being forgiven; we are humbled. We are able to have compassion toward our erring brethren. We begin to realize our need to press closer to Jesus.
It also reinforces , particularly to Seventh-Day Adventist, that we are not saved simply by choice. Yes , we must choose Christ and we must also TRUST Him. “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17
Ultimately, our actions and words prove, if we indeed, truly have faith in God.
From time to time, I encounter a ‘friend’ on Facebook who criticizes Christianity based on the behavior of its adherents. One friend says she doesn’t want to be a Christian because of the shame and guilt she felt in the pews as a child in the Catholic faith. Another friend points to some of the evangelical pastors whose shady practices have been exposed as they fell from grace in the media. Even I have difficulties portraying a positive image of Christianity because I am a sinner. God is still working out my character defects, and people are watching…people see.
It is actually heartening to see that the personality conflicts and personal imperfections existing in the church today are nothing new. Church members are still human, and we struggle with jealousy, discord, sexual sins, selfish ambition, arrogance, and disorder. The good news is that the God who offers a way out of these behaviors is still on the throne. The antidote to these sins is still available, and the instruction for how to correct sinful behavior is at our fingertips in God’s Word.
Finally, I am so grateful that Paul reiterates in God’s word that the purpose of correction is not to shun or shame the sinner. Biblical correction is intended to restore.
Trusting in Christ in all matters is the result of a strong relationship with Him.