2 CORINTHIANS 7:5-7 – For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.”
In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter six, verses one through fourteen, he would write what may well be “the secret” to live the Christian life. Let me encourage us to read, study, even memorize the first fourteen verses in that chapter. It will transform us. The context of this section points us to our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. It teaches us that when Christ died for our sins, our union with Him in that death enables us to die to sin meaning no more are we in bondage to sin. By Christ’s power we are set free, and we are set free from living selfishly to living selflessly for Christ and others. The summary or application of this truth is verse thirteen – Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness (Romans 6:13). Pay attention to what Paul tells us what we are and what we are to do – members to God as instruments of righteousness. And that brings us to today’s scripture.
As members to God and instruments of righteousness, there is much to be said about such a life. One important application is our ministry to other Christians. Do a quick self-assessment – are we actively ministering to other believers? Not just in service but in the example of Titus in today’s scripture. Paul states to the Corinthian believers that Titus was “an instrument of comfort” – But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus. This young believer made himself available for God to use in helping, even comforting, fellow Christians, and what a needed ministry in today’s church.
The landscape in our churches is full of discouraged, even depressed Christians desperately needing other Christians to be instruments of comfort to them. Their lives are hard, trials long, and pain deep. We, as God’s people, freed from focusing on ourselves, are privileged and commanded to come to their aid, like Titus. The clearest command we have to be instruments of encouraging comfort is found in the third chapter of the New Testament letter to the Hebrews – But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception (Hebrews 3:13).
Instruments of comfort. That defines a healthy Christian and it isn’t difficult; a text, a message, a phone call, a cup of coffee, lunch, shared scriptures, prayer with a hurting brother or sister . . . the “how to” is not difficult. And remember, we too will find times when we need an instrument of comfort too! May the Lord use us often in being such to His hurting children.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to be a channel of Your grace and comfort to others.”
QUOTE: “We were not saved by God to live for self, but for Him and others.”