September 13, 2021 -- II Corinthians 1:3-4 -- Comforting others as we have been comforted

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
II Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV

Question for you. Do you tell people about the secret sins and deepest struggles of your heart? Let me qualify this, perhaps not broadcasting such things to the whole world, but certainly in the context of Christian fellowship, where a brother or sister is struggling with a sin and you have gained victory, do you share this?

It has been my general experience that members in the churches I have attended will avoid such open discussions. Sin, other people’s sin, is a big topic of discussion. But the open admission of one’s own failure and struggles are often buried deep. Even where such conversation would be a great mercy and help to others. It seems church-raised Christian have calcified in this area. 

In contrast, working with Christians in the prison context, or in the context of drug and alcohol recovery centres are far more open with their struggles and sins. The words of today’s text ring true. When we have been comforted from the greatest affliction we can suffer—which is the fight against our sinful nature and old patterns of behaviour which threaten like a rip tide, to pull us back into oceans of sin and desperation—what a blessing it is in humility to share that victory with others who need such hope and encouragement.

What mercy is found in true community where a brother who has overcome sin can reach out to another who is struggling to find the Father’s mercy which has been given us in Jesus Christ and sealed in us by the Holy Spirit. Tell others around you who seem to be drowning in the miry pit of hopelessness of the help that Christ, by His Spirit has given you so that the God of All Comfort may by your testimony comfort others in their affliction and suffering.

O Lover of the loveless,
It is thy will that I should love thee
with heart, soul, mind, strength,
and my neighbour as myself.
But I am not sufficient for these things.
There is by nature no pure love in my soul;
Every affection in me is turned from thee;
I am bound, as slave to lust,
I cannot love thee, lovely as thou art,
until thou dost set me free.
By grace I am thy freeman and would serve thee,
for I believe thou art my God in Jesus,
and that through him I am redeemed,
and my sins are forgiven.
With this freedom I would always obey thee,
but I cannot walk in liberty,
any more than I could first attain it, of myself.
May thy Spirit draw me nearer
to thee and thy ways.
Thou art the end of all means,
for if they lead me not to thee,
I go away empty.
Order all my ways by thy holy Word
and make thy commandments the joy of my heart,
that by them I may have happy converse with thee.
May I grow in thy love and manifest it to mankind.
Spirit of love, make me like the loving Jesus;
give me his benevolent temper,
his beneficent actions,
that I may shine before men to thy glory.
The more thou doest in love in me and by me,
humble me the more;
keep me meek, lowly,
and always ready to give thee honour.
"Christian Love". The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Ed. A. Bennett. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2020, page 250.

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