2 Cor. 2

Sadly, Christians mess up and fall into sin. What do we do with them? We forgive them.

Paul’s communication with the Corinthian church about the man who was taken in sexual sin is an example of New Testament forgiveness as it should be. Too often, we feel that we should administer some payback through our sternness. (Paul had instructed the church to put him out until he repented.) They are already feeling the guilt and sorrow laid upon them by the Holy Spirit. (WE are NOT the Holy Spirit)

If God forgives them, who are we to withhold forgiveness? Obviously, if they are unrepentant and calloused toward their indiscretion, they probably have not fully repented of their sin. But, if they are repentant and truly sorry, we can help their restoration process by extending our forgiveness.

The way we give our forgiveness may come back upon us if we too sin. We reap what we sow.