Keys to making relationships work part 4

This chapter holds beautiful language of a leader expressing why he was firm to his church and how their response encouraged him in his own faith. We have seen how people hurt people and the damage that is caused from the wounds that take time to heal. Paul and the Corinthian Church help us see what we can also do as Paul worked out their relationship together. So with these final thoughts in chapter 7 we see how we can make relationships work.

“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. ¹⁴ 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. ¹⁵ And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. ¹⁶ I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.” (2 Corinthians 7 v 13-16)

Last evening I spoke with a leader who at the start of the day had told me he had some ‘tricky’ meetings ahead. The relief in his voice as he shared how those meetings had gone really well was palpable. There is always a real sense of renewed hope and joy that comes through navigating successfully relational tension.

Paul had sent a severe letter to the Church which addressed serious issues within their community. Now through Titus he hears that those necessary words had brought about changes of heart and produced good results.

• We need people who can carry difficult messages with love and faithfulness. We need good people in the room addressing conflict issues, whether that is offering correction or bringing encouragement.
• We need people who are brave enough to receive difficult truths. Spiritual growth often comes through difficult conversations that have been given and received with grace.
• We need people who have a desire to build up, never to destroy a person, especially when bringing correction.

The Church always has an opportunity to demonstrate to a world divided and broken, that there is the possibility of reconciliation and restoration because of Jesus Christ.

We need people like that. We need to be those people.