The God Who Comforts
Contents Corinth Church is a church that Paul built while staying in Corinth, the city of idols, during his second missionary journey. 1 Corinthians was a rebuke for their wrongdoings. Among them, there were those who repented and obeyed, but there were those who rebelled against what they were. These were people who did not acknowledge Paul's apostleship and disturbed the church. In verse 1, Paul, who was an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy, his brother, clearly state that they became apostles by the will of God.
There is nothing more difficult than hearing an unfair voice from a member of the church or being framed. How was Paul able to overcome this injustice and win?
First, Paul was able to overcome this tribulation because he had God's warm comfort. Verse 4, who comforts us in all our afflictions, that we may be able to comfort those in all afflictions with the comfort we have received from God. Only God's comfort can comfort mankind's injustice. In verse 5, he confessed that he was filled with comfort when he thought of God's suffering and was able to overcome all his injustice. When we face hardships and difficulties in the world, when the Lord says, “I know everything because I have experienced such things,” I find true comfort. Where there is trouble, there is comfort.
Second, in verse 7, we confess that we were able to overcome fiery tribulations because all those tribulations eventually strengthened our hope. You cannot farm with sunlight alone. There are no nights in summer in Alaska. This time is called the white night. At this time, the Chinese cabbage grows as large as 200 kg. But the cabbage is not edible. It can bear much fruit only when it takes root deeply and suffers through rain and wind. Favorable winds and adversity are the two axes of God's blessing. There is nothing in the Bible that the Lord says that the Christian life of faith is easy. In Matthew 10, Jesus said to His disciples, “I am sending out sheep among wolves.”
Paul is now in great tribulation. It is placed in an unfortunate position. However, we do not know how preciously all the tribulation Paul received was used as a leader. It was only when he suffered injustice that he came to know the sacrifice and love of the Lord. If leaders grow up without lack, they will not be able to properly understand the reality and pain of the saints. How painful is it when a healthy person visits a person who has lost a leg in the hospital? There is still one side left, so saying ‘thank you’ will not be of great comfort. But right next to you, the patient who lost both legs is very hard on you, isn't it? When you comfort him by saying, “Look at the face of the Lord when you are in trouble,” please praise him, and that comfort will add great strength to him.
Third, Paul wanted to fill his body with the rest of the sufferings of Christ, thinking about the suffering of the Lord in the midst of the unjust tribulation he was experiencing. In the midst of this, I sang and gave thanks for the comfort and grace that God has given me so far. In it, I am comforting the Corinthian church members, wishing you the grace and peace of Jesus Christ. When Paul speaks of tribulation, he calls it all tribulation. There are many tribulations, not just one or two. There are material, mental, physical, and spiritual tribulation. Tribulation brings God's comfort and strengthens our faith. Tribulation makes us hope in heaven.
(Conclusion) Grace comes from a high place to a low place. When we have grace, we can overcome any difficulties with thanksgiving. May you be full of grace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Today Paul prays toward the church in Corinth, which is accusing him, slandering him, and persecuting him: Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! bless you When you have grace, you become a comforter in a situation of suffering. Forgive them their sins when Jesus is crucified! They do not know what they are doing. Rather, it is the heart of Jesus who forgave and prayed for blessings. Paul suffered beyond his strength. So even the hope of living was cut off, and even the death penalty was given. At that time, the comfort of God came flooding in.