WEBCAST –
If you are meaningfully involved with others for a period of time, eventually there will be disagreements and tensions between you. Most often such issues are minor and do not escalate to the level of hurt feelings and open conflict. However, sometimes they do. When that happens it takes a lot of humility, goodwill, and intentional effort to repair any wrongs, heal any hurts, and reconcile with one another.
We see this in the tensions between many in the mid-first century Christian fellowship at Corinth and the Apostle Paul. While Paul was at Ephesus some Jewish critics of Paul convinced most of that fellowship to break their allegiance to him as their spiritual father. In response, Paul continued to move intentionally toward them and by doing so most within that fellowship repented and professed their submission and love toward him. Paul’s response to them evidences the love, mercy, and grace of God as he fully welcomed them back into relationship with him.
In today’s text we will see how the Apostle Paul addressed wrongs against him, yet fully reconciled with those who hurt him. As God’s beloved children we need to be honest in addressing wrongs against us, but through the power and love of Christ always aim for reconciliation.
The Acts of the Apostles, Part 50 – Outline (PDF)
rcf_actspt50_outline