Scripture Reading : 2 Corinthians 13
Theme : The pattern of sanctification
Because of the false teachers’ influence, Paul was fearful that the Corinthians would fall back into their former sins. To forewarn the Corinthians before visiting them for the third time, Paul focused on several elements of the sanctification process in this concluding section, the first of which is repentance (2 Cor. 12:20-21).
- Pattern of sanctification: Church Discipline (13:1-4). After calling for their repentance, Paul now turned to the next step of sanctification, namely church discipline, which addresses the issue of what to do with those who sin and refuse to repent. Because Paul’s gentleness was severely criticized by the false apostles as being weak, he would demonstrate his apostolic power and authority by not sparing anyone who refuses to repent in this third visit.
- Pattern of sanctification: Examining our faith (13:5-6). However, in order for the Corinthians to truly repent and accept discipline, they must first be in Christ. Therefore Paul called them to examine themselves in order to determine their true spirituality. If their faith is real, they too will know that Paul is a genuine apostle since they were the fruit of his ministry.
- Pattern of sanctification: Obedience and Integrity (13:7-14). Paul’s deepest desire is not to be approved by the Corinthians, but for them to be obedient and complete, hence he constantly prayed for their obedience and perfection in Christ. It is only when the Corinthians are willing to follow the pattern of sanctification then they will be able to experience the spiritual blessing of God’s presence in love and peace.
Praying the Scripture
- The biggest problem facing the church today is the disinterest in confronting sinning people in the church in order to bring them to repentance and restoration. This signaled a lack of concern for holiness and a shallow commitment to Scripture. Yet church discipline is the first instruction that the Lord Jesus Christ gave regarding the church (Matt. 18:15-17). Let’s pray that we will not be indifferent to the sins of our brothers and sisters in Christ, but seek to restore them to holiness with a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1).
- Unlike what was taught in the Roman Catholic church, it is possible for believers to examine themselves to see if they were truly saved. However, genuine saving faith is not a mere profession of faith (Luke 8:13-14), baptism (Eph. 2:8-9), being part of the visible church (Matt. 13:25-30), feeling conviction for sin (Matt. 27:3-5) or merely believing the facts of the gospel (John 8:31, James 2:19). Rather, genuine faith is marked by penitence (Matt. 5:3-4; Ps. 32:5; 1 John 1:7-10), desire for righteousness (Matt. 5:6; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John 2:29), submission to divine authority (Luke 14:25-35), obedience (Luke 6:46; Matt. 7:21; John 8:31; John 14:15), love for God and other people (1 John 5:2; 1 John 3:14; 1 John 2:9-11). Let’s pray that we will humbly examine ourselves in light of God’s truth so that we will not be self-deceived.
经文：哥林多后书13
主题：成圣的模式
因着假教师的影响，保罗深怕哥林多人会返回起初的罪行。为在第三次探访前预告他们，保罗在这总结篇把焦点着重在成圣过程的几个要素，而为首的就是悔改（12:20-21）。
- 成圣的模式：教会纪律（13-4）。呼召哥林多人悔改后，保罗现在转向成圣的另一步：教会纪律，也就是在面对犯罪但不知悔改者当如何行。由于保罗的温柔受假教师严重谴责，被当成软弱，他会在第三次的探访中展现他作使徒的能力与权柄，不饶任何不知悔改的人。
- 成圣的模式：省察信心（13:5-6）。然而，哥林多人若要真实悔改，接受管教，他们必须先是在基督里的。因此，保罗召他们省察自己，断定自己是否真信主。若他们的信心是属实的，他们也会晓得保罗是位真使徒，因为他们就是他事工所结出的果子。
- 成圣的模式：顺服与诚信（13:7-14）。保罗最深切的渴望不是要受到哥林多人的认可，乃要他们顺服、全备，所以他持续为着他们在基督里的顺服及完全祷告。唯有当哥林多人愿意跟从成圣的模式，他们才能在爱与和平中经历神同在的属灵福气。
用经文祷告
- 教会今日面对的最大问题就是不愿与犯罪的肢体对质罪行，叫他们能悔改，得复原。这显示教会缺乏对圣洁的关注，对圣经的委身也是肤浅的。可是，当主耶稣基督给予有关教会的指示时，第一个就是教会纪律（太18:15-17）。让我们祷告我们不会对主内的弟兄姐妹的罪行持有冷漠的态度，而是以温柔的心寻求能将他们归回圣洁。
- 不像罗马天主教会所教导的，信徒是能审察自己是否真实得救。然而，属实得救的信心并不仅是口头上的宣告（路8:13-14），经过洗礼（弗2:8-9），属有形教会一部分（太13:25-30），心里被定罪（太27:3-5）或只相信福音中的事实（约8:31，各2:19）。实际上，属实信心的标志是忏悔（太5:3-4，诗32:5，约一1:7-10），饥渴慕义（太5:6，提后2:19，约一2:29），顺服属神掌权（路14:25-35），顺服（路6:46，太7:21，约8:31，约14:15），爱神与他人（约一5:2，约一3:14，约一2:9-11）。让我们祷告我们会在神真理的光照中虚心审察自己，叫我们不会自欺。
