“Be
Ye Reconciled to God”
Lesson 35 – 2 Corinthians
If
someone you trust handed you sand with the promise that it contained gold, what
would you do?
Elder
Henry B. Eyring spoke about receiving counsel from prophets: “Don’t discard the counsel, but hold it close. If someone you
trusted handed you what appeared to be nothing more than sand with the promise
that it contained gold, you might wisely hold it in your hand awhile, shaking
it gently. Every time I have done that with counsel from a prophet, after a
time the gold flakes have begun to appear and I have been grateful” (Ensign,
May 1997, 26).
The
book of 2nd Corinthians contains prophetic counsel that applies in
our day. Paul’s teachings in this letter are similar to the teachings we often
hear in general conference. Elder Eyring observed, “When the words of prophets
seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention [on them]” (Ensign,
May 1997, 25).
Receive the counsel in this lesson and “hold it close.”
Paul’s
letter to the Corinthians was written after a time of great persecution when
Paul and Timothy “despaired even of life” (2 Cor. 1:8).
2
Cor. 1:3-5; 2 Cor. 4:5-15 Paul and Timothy were able to avoid despair despite being
troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down because they were comforted of
God. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
are also our best sources for comfort.
Elder
Neal A. Maxwell assured us that Jesus Christ will help us through our afflictions: “When we take Jesus’ yoke
upon us, this admits us eventually to what Paul called the ‘fellowship of
[Christ’s] sufferings’ (Philip. 3:10). Whether illness or aloneness, injustice
or rejection, … our comparatively small-scale sufferings, if we are meek, will
sink into the very marrow of the soul. We then better appreciate not only
Jesus’ sufferings for us, but also His matchless character, moving us to
greater adoration and even emulation. “Alma revealed that Jesus knows how to
succor us in the midst of our griefs and sicknesses precisely because Jesus has
already borne our griefs and sicknesses (see Alma 7:11-12). He knows them
firsthand; thus His empathy is earned. Of course, we do not comprehend it fully
any more than we understand how He bore all mortal sins, but His Atonement
remains the rescuing and reassuring reality” (Ensign, May 1997, 12).
Take
a moment to consider how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have helped you
during adversity.
2
Cor. 1:4
Paul expressed a desire to help others receive the same comfort he had received
from God. On a personal basis, think of how you can help others receive comfort
from God.
2
Cor. 1:11
Paul thanked the Saints who had prayed for him and Timothy in their time of
adversity. It is important for us to pray for each other and most of us can
remember instances when the prayers of others have blessed us or someone we
know. In addition, we are blessed when
we pray for others as our faith is strengthened.
2
Cor. 4:17-18
These teachings help us keep an eternal perspective during tribulation. (See
also D&C 121:7-8.) It is helpful to see our trials from an eternal
perspective because we can more easily see their true size and importance in
the plan of salvation.
2
Cor. 6:4-5; 2 Cor. 11:23-33 Paul told the Corinthians of the trials that he and many of
the Saints endured because of their belief in Jesus Christ.
2
Cor. 6:4, 6-7 Paul taught that we should develop the characteristics of patience,
pureness, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, reliance on the Holy Ghost, love,
the word of truth, the power of God, and the armor of righteousness to help us
endure trials.
2
Cor. 12:7
Paul said that the Lord gave him an infirmity—a “thorn in the flesh”—so that he might retain
humility.
2
Cor. 12:8-10
Paul learned, when the Lord did not take away his “thorn in the flesh” as he had asked, that he
could be strong by developing his reliance and faith in Christ.
Ether
12:27 Our
weaknesses can help us receive strength from Jesus Christ. Ponder how you have
seen the truth of Paul’s statement that “when I am weak, then am I strong”.
2
Cor. 2:5-8
Paul admonished the Saints to forgive each other.
Matt.
6:14-15; 2 Cor. 2:7-8; D&C 64:9-10 These passages teach that it is important that we
forgive others. Ponder how you are affected when you are forgiving and when you
are unforgiving.
President
Gordon B. Hinckley said: “We see the need for [forgiveness] in the
homes of the people, where tiny molehills of misunderstanding are fanned into
mountains of argument. We see it among neighbors, where insignificant
differences lead to undying bitterness. We see it in business associates who
quarrel and refuse to compromise and forgive when, in most instances, if there
were a willingness to sit down together and speak quietly one to another, the
matter could be resolved to the blessing of all. Rather, they spend their days
nurturing grudges and planning retribution. …
“If
there be any who nurture in their hearts the poisonous brew of enmity toward
another, I plead with you to ask the Lord for strength to forgive. This
expression of desire will be of the very substance of your repentance. It may
not be easy, and it may not come quickly. But if you will seek it with
sincerity and cultivate it, it will come. …
“…
There is no peace in reflecting on the pain of old wounds. There is peace only
in repentance and forgiveness. This is the sweet peace of the Christ, who said,
‘blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.’
(Matt. 5:9)”
(“Of
You It Is Required to Forgive,” Ensign, June 1991, 2, 5).
Think
seriously about what you can do to become more forgiving.
2
Cor. 7:8-9
After hearing that one of his epistles had “made [the Corinthians] sorry,” Paul rejoiced.
2
Cor. 7:9-10
Paul responded this way to the Corinthians’ sorrow because it motivated their
repentance when they had “godly sorrow” for their sins. As we ponder the difference between godly
sorrow and “the sorrow of the world” and why godly sorrow is an important part
of repentance, we have this instruction…
President
Spencer W. Kimball explained: “If one is sorry only because someone found out about his sin, his
repentance is not complete. Godly sorrow causes one to want to repent, even
though he has not been caught by others, and makes him determined to do right
no matter what happens. This kind of sorrow brings righteousness and will work
toward forgiveness” (Repentance Brings Forgiveness [pamphlet,
1984], 8).
2
Cor. 5:20
Paul and Timothy counseled the Corinthians to “be reconciled to God”.
Elder
Bruce R. McConkie taught what it means to be reconciled to God: “Reconciliation is the
process of ransoming man from his state of sin and spiritual darkness and of
restoring him to a state of harmony and unity with Deity. … Man, who was once
carnal and evil, who lived after the manner of the flesh, becomes a new
creature of the Holy Ghost; he is born again; and, even as a little child, he
is alive in Christ” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols.
[1965-73], 2:422-23).
2
Cor. 5:17-19, 21; 2 Nephi 25:23; Jacob 4:10-11 teach us how we can become
reconciled to God.
Remember and follow Paul’s counsel in 2nd Corinthians.