Writing to tell you I love you

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

“So I decided that my next visit to you would not be another one to make you sad. If I make you sad, who will make me glad? Only you can make me glad—particularly the person whom I made sad. I wrote you a letter for this reason: that when I came to you, the people who should make me happy would not make me sad. I felt sure of all of you, that you would share my joy. When I wrote you to you before, I was very troubled and unhappy in my heart, and I wrote with many tears. I did not write to make you sad, but to let you know how much I love you.”

One can only understand the whole of this passage after reading Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Ever been there? Have you ever written a letter, (or email) and have it blow up in your face? Paul had to address the Corinthians on some serious issues... and the response musn't have been one of joyful acceptance. We are not privy to the response the Corinthians have Paul after the first letter... too bad.

But in his second letter, Paul spends some time sweeping up a mess. Maybe the Corinthian church didn't understand Paul's motives for his first letter. Sometimes we get news we focus more on the message than the messenger. I like what Paul said in his second letter.

"I did not write you to make you sad, but to let you know how much I love you."

I looked up in my Greek New Testement just what he meant by "I love you" I found the word "agape". That's were Paul's heart was. The same words he used to tell the Corinthians about God's love... this was the word he used to tell them that he loved them. Paul's agape for the Corinthians was lost to them when they got a slap on the wrist. How could he have communicated that agape love to them in the first place?

There is an application in all of this. I'm thinking of a letter I wrote a few years back. When I read this passage, I thought of my motives in writing a letter that was met with sadness, not joy. I wondered how I could have better communicated my "agape" love for this person. Now, I don't know if he really understands how much I still love (agape) him. (You know... that unconditional choice one makes in life, not based on feelings, but on God's richness and mercy.... that kind of love)

So if I had a chance to write another letter to my friend.. I would tell him the same thing that Paul wrote to the Corinthians...

I didn't not write my letter to make you sad, I thought you would share my joy. I just wanted you to know how much I love you.

Colossians: a book about the real road to redemption - Chapter 1

Only four chapters in this book, but more in it than an epic of great proportion. Written by Paul from captivity, there couldn't have been a greater message of freedom. Paul opens up with such a beautiful exhortation to the believers in Colossae.

"Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we have continued praying for you, asking God that you will know fully what he wants. We pray that you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things so that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God. God will strengthen you with his own great power so you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient." 1:9-11(NCV)

When I read this it was like a fresh glass of water after a time of intense dryness. It's my life purpose summed up on these words... "..that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit..."
It couldn't be any clearer than that.

"He was there before anything was made, and all things continue because of him." 1:17

All things continue because of him... not because of me... but because of HIM. Such a shallow life I lead when I believe that the world revolves around me, my desires, goals and wishes. There is such dynamic adventure filled with purpose for me when I walk in His will, not my own.

"At one time you were separated from God. You were his enemies in your minds and the evil things you did were against God. But now God has made you his friends again. He did this through Christ's death in the body so that he might bring you into God's presence as people who are holy, with no wrong, and with nothing of which God can judge you guilty."1:21-22

Wallowing in a mire of my own sin and guilt, so often I fail to see this truth in clarity. That ugly death that Jesus went through on Calvary was so that I wouldn't be condemned to an existence of pig slop... but a life of holiness.

THE BIG SECRET

"God decided to let his people know this rich and glorious secret which he has for all people. This secret is Christ himself, who is in you. He is our only hope for glory." 1:27

He is our only hope... this is what I get to be a part of sharing to the world out there. What an honor!

And that was just Chapter one.

Thank you Lord for you timeless word and boundless truth. Holy Spirit, engrain this word and truth in my very being so that I may live out your purpose for my life today and every day in holiness!