We have been greatly encouraged by this. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed Him and set his mind at ease. I had told him how proud I was of you—and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true! Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect. I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.
2 Corinthians 7:13-16
Paul’s confidence in the Corinthians has moved from high (highest) to complete confidence after seeing the evidence or the realization of the confidence that he held. We can hold confidence that something will happen to the good for someone. That they will finally understand and move forward. That the issue between them is finally laid to rest and they can move on. That the potential we see in someone is brought to fruit. But when we see the reality of our confidence being worked out and we see the fruit of our work and prayer and time spent then we have complete confidence – primarily in God to perfect the work He started but in them too that they will respond. (Did you notice I switched pronouns?)
The fact that Paul keeps talking about all this is proof of the delight he had in the Corinthians response and the reality of the joy he had after hearing Titus’s report of what was happening among the Corinthians. The issues between them were not small. The Corinthians reactions to Paul’s hard letter and visit would make or break them. Clearly Paul has boasted to Titus that the Corinthians will come through. Paul knows them intimately and makes the judgement call that they will come through all this. They will address the issues and the relationship will restored. The factionalism will be dealt with and they will accept Paul. They will heed his words and address the issue of sin in their midst.
His delight in knowing things have been handled, they have indeed had their loyalty to Christ and to Paul questioned and it has been made clear to them that their faith is on the line. What will they do? Even though we can have confidence in someone and we trust they will do the right thing when they do as we hoped they would, we are elated. This is exactly the response of Paul. The fact that things are now sorted is a huge load off Paul’s shoulders, a weight off his mind. The fact that Paul keeps talking about it adds to realism of it all. The two Corinthian letters evidence the human stuff behind the scenes more so than any of the other of Paul’s letters. There are all kinds of underlying themes and responses between the lines given the nature of the struggles this church is going through. When Paul hears the news that everything is sorted and relationship is restored with them, in fact that they are longing to see him, he is “over the moon” with emotion.
Let yourself go and allow yourself to feel emotion. Sunday in the church where I was speaking, a person giving testimony apologised for being emotional. Don’t ever apologise for being emotional. Be emotional, let it out. Let your real reactions flow and be you like you have never been before. And of course deal with your hard issues and address the relationship problems that might exist so that you too can move on and lay the issues to rest.
God gave you emotions, be the whole you; not just a part.
Anon
Give someone an exuberant hug today.
Anon
Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
Anon
All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
Anon