23 I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. 1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
In our Christian walk we all mess up or don’t live up to the standard God set for us. As brothers and sisters in Christ, it is not for us to condemn one another but to take up responsibility for keeping each other on the straight and narrow path. We shouldn’t get mad at the person for their sin; “hate the sin not the sinner” but instead correct each other out of the love and concern for the persons soul. If the situation comes up and you don’t think you can control your anger or disappointment over a fellow Christian’s sins, do like Paul, write them a letter that ENCOURAGES them to come back to the faith and share in the joy you have when you are both right with God.
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