Approval

Beloved, the Lord always comes through with a new theme to write unto you. Today’s theme is simply entitled “Approval.” A year after Paul corrected the Corinthian Church in the handling of the case of the young fornicator, he wrote them again, exhorting them to bring back the young man into their fellowship. In his letter, Paul felt led by the Holy Spirit to instruct them, “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to FORGIVE him, and comfort him, lest perhaps [he] should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. [This is why] I [beg of] you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write that I [Paul] might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in ALL things [in other words, that I might know if your dedication to God’s will is “APPROVED”]. - To whom ye forgive any thing, I [Paul] forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, [it was] for your sakes forgave I it in the person [presence] of Christ [and with the “Approval” of Christ]; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us [saints]: for we are not ignorant of [Satan’s] devices [we are not stupid enough to be tricked by the device of unforgiveness that would cause us to sin!]” (II Corinthians 2:6-11). Beloved, every day I ask God to show me, as a pastor, the proof of all our Anointed Harvest Fellowship Church family members also (the ones who are “approved” by God to be delivered to do His will)! Ask yourself the question, “Does my love meet the approval of God?”

Precious Ones, in this same letter, Paul rejoiced that the Corinthian Church had sorrowed to repentance. As he said, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death [which is Pagan suicidal sorrow]. For ... what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all [these] things ye have APPROVED yourselves to be clear in this matter” (II Corinthians 7:10-11). Beloved, here we are given instructions about seven fruits of repentance for those who have failed in the way they are to “approve” themselves before God! “Carefulness (about what they say),” “clearing of themselves (confessing and forsaking),” “indignation (anger at the weakness of their flesh and not at those who judged them),” “fear (of further failure),” “vehement desire (never wanting to fail again),” “zeal (working for God as never before),” “revenge (bringing the flesh and the proud spirit of revenge down in humility).”

Children of God, of course, it takes time to manifest these virtues, but if we seek the “Approval” of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we must strive after them!

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then,
I love you all SO very much. Stay encouraged!
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy