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.