Terry Storch

Writing about life, leadership, faith, and anything else I find interesting.

Open Rebuke or Hidden Love

 

Open Rebuke or Hidden Love - 2 Corinthians 7

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” - ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I heard this verse this morning before I opened 2 Cor 7, and it is the perfect wrapper of what Paul is communicating in both his letters to the Corinthians. But as we process open rebuke, let us be honest, it’s not the easiest thing to do. We also can get wrapped up in hidden love, thinking that we are loving someone by no calling them out, rebuking them, or bringing the challenge or discipline need. I think all parents can completely relate to this. As our kids get older and enter the later stages of youth, it gets even more complicated. Robin and I have many friends walking through some tough times with their kids, and living out this verse is hard and not always black and white. 

As you dive into 2 Corinthians 7, you will read and find Paul expressing his love again to the Corinthians, and celebrating the joy he has knowing they have received his rebuke, expressed Godly sorrow, and have come to repentance. 

“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:8-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul loved the Corinthian church and people so much that he openly rebuked them! Paul caused them deep sorrow and pain, and he did not regret it. But I LOVE how Paul expressed his humanness next. He then said he did regret it, he felt terrible he hurt them. Did you see that he didn't regret it until he did? My guess is Paul questioned himself, did he do the right thing...should I of hidden my love and not rebuked? If you are struggling today and having concerns bringing rebuke, read Paul's words, and receive the comfort that he wrestled with this as well. 

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The place where transformation happens is in Godly sorrow. The pure and repentant heart. This is where the Corinthians found themselves. They were rebuked by Paul, found repentance through Godly sorrow, comforted by Titus, and then Titus brought the news and comfort to Paul.  

A beautiful circle that has a happy ending. But, I want to make sure that if we read this, we do not forget that this didn't happen overnight, and I can only imagine the pain and agony in the days and months between communication. The concern in the unknown and silence. Let’s transition and close with these verses and an important thought. 

“By all this, we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In the midst of all the concern, rebuke, and challenges, Paul was boasting about the Corinthians. Paul didn't speak poorly of them; he didn't bad mouth them or rebuke or call them out with other leaders - Paul believed in them. Wow, this hit me square between the eyes. If you go back and read or think about 1 Corinthians, Paul was so frustrated and upset at them, but here we read that to Paul's leader Titus, Paul was boasting and building up the Corinthians, speaking positive and I am sure praying intensely for them. 

Open rebuke or hidden love. Let’s not confuse those, and Lord give us the wisdom and strength to bring the open rebuke when we need it. Father, draw us closer to you, so we have the strength and courage to step into the conversations we need.

other writing
John 20 - The Gospel

John 20 - The Gospel

The Gospel, the Good News! Jesus, Son of God, was born of Mary, lived as the Son of Man, died, and rose to life to rescue the world and bring about a new life. The central message of the gospel. Jesus, the centerpiece! John 19 & 20 cover the brutal death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

In this scene, I can not imagine how the disciples felt. John describes them as overjoyed...but those words just fall short of what I can imagine this moment was like.

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

The day of Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled 28 Old Testament prophecies. Scripture was fulfilled! Beyond that, trying to wrap my mind around what happened this day, on the cross, and fully grabbing the magnitude of the cross is mind-boggling.

Sure, we can dumb this down or simplify it to a place where I just don’t believe it is anywhere near accurate. We can get into penal substitution and argue over was God full of love or was God full of wrath and hate that he killed his son. To me, John 3:16 is pretty clear on the love part.

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

In John 18, we come to the great betrayal. Judas came with the soldiers, officials, and chief priest and Pharisees. We know the scene. But this morning, I saw something I don’t remember reading and surly don’t remember learning about.

“So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭18:3-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 is Jesus looking heavenward and praying to God the Father. So much beauty and mystery in this prayer. One thing that jumps out to me is that Jesus, fully God, and fully man prayed. Jesus is God fully. Why did he need to pray, He was One with the Father, He was God...and yet he prayed. This is so powerful;

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭17:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

By the end of John 16, Jesus had done countless miracles, preached some amazing sermons, transformed so many lives, and developed a close and personal relationship with his disciples. So, when reading these verses, I am just utterly confused on so many levels.

“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:28-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

Jesus’ time on earth is quickly coming to a close, and he finishes up his last sermon or teaching to his disciples as they walk to Gethsemane. This final teaching was a heavy one that no doubt left his disciples with a heavy heart. Jesus said it this way;

“...None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus goes on to say;

John 15 - Constant Growth

John 15 - Constant Growth

We were built for growth, constant growth. From birth, all the way until our death, we were designed by God for constant growth. The problem is, we often can find ourselves stuck in a belief, a phase, or a part of life where we stop growing.

One of the most brilliant investors embodies this understanding. Charlie Munger, at 96 years old, is still learning and growing as a person. I love this quote:

“Knowing what you don’t know is more useful than being brilliant.”
- Charlie Munger

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 opens with Jesus, saying, Don’t let your hearts be troubled. And the chapter closed down with Jesus saying Don’t be troubled or afraid.

A message that needs to resonate with our spirit and our inner self. This was such a good reminder, reading through John 14 over and over. This passage lifted off the screen.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart…

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

The world today seems so volatile and chaotic. Everywhere you look, whatever we read and see on TV just seems to be troubling. Last night, I noticed my lovely wife Tweeted this;

“I can’t be the only one who watches the news and is simply embarrassed right now, right? (Dear Jesus, we tap out. Come on back.)”

I find this first humorous, but then I also find it sad. It’s true, watching the news as a Christ-follower is pretty embarrassing. In John 14, we see Jesus…

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

Summarizing John, chapter 13, looks like this. The Lords Supper takes place. Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus calls out Judas, and Satan enters him. Night comes, Judas leaves, and Jesus says he must go, and where I am going, you can not come. To cap it all off, Jesus also calls out Simon Peter and tells him that he will deny and completely disown Jesus three times. Whoa, a really full chapter, and historical day.

Nestled in the wrap up of the day is the parting message Jesus leaves his disciples, a message Jesus is sharing with us right now.

 
thoughtsTerry Storch