II Corinthians 2 Paul expresses his sorrow and love for the church in Corinth.. seeing that they obeyed his instructions.. he now urges them to forgive and restore the one that had been living sinfully in their midst. Forgiveness.. we all need it and want it.. but it is sometimes hard to be the ones to forgive those who hurt us with their sins. Paul says, " But whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ."   Forgiveness restores fellowship.. unity.. and this is vital for the church.. any church!  The man who had caused the problems repented.. and the church, which had allowed the sinfulness to continue.. also repented.  Paul tells them to "forgive and comfort"..  first, so that he would not be "overwhelmed by excessive sorrow".. and secondly, " in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes."

A church that preaches repentance...that practices forgiveness and comfort..is a church that will have joyful fellowship and wonderful, Christ honoring unity... 

 Paul talks about his journey.. going to Troas and then on to Macedonia..  He is restless in his spirit.. but finds reason to be thankful...  "But thanks be to God who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place."   Here is another truth.. "we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.. "  We won't always be received with joy.. for sometimes the message of the gospel has an "aroma from death to death"... to those who refuse Him.. But, hallelujah, sometimes the aroma of the knowledge of Christ brings "life to life".   We do not control how someone hears or receives the good news of Christ Jesus.  What we do control is our sincere words of truth.. spoken "in Christ in the sight of God." 

Father in heaven, help us to hear Your words today.. to live for You.. according to these truths, by the power of Christ in us.. before You. Give us understanding of how these words can be applied to our church and our individual lives.  Help us to walk in sincerity and love. Manifest the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ in us.. no matter where we go. Let, the life of Jesus in us.. bring life to others who need Him.. We ask this in His wonderful, powerful Name. Amen.