Even if I caused you sorrow by ( removing __) … and I see that (it) hurt you … (it is) only for a while … because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this Godly sorrow has produced (is producing) in you: What eagerness to clear yourself, indignation, alarm, longing, concern, readiness to see justice (what I have for you) done. At every point you have proved yourself. …” 2Cor.7:8-11
“If someone in charge becomes angry at you, don’t leave your post; A calm reply puts great offenses to rest.” Ecc.10:4 Of course this takes relational maturity.
“Wherever God is present and at work, there will be conflict. There is always tension with revelation and change.” Jim W
This is what you have been talking about in bringing about change. This is what struggles we face in lesser and greater degrees all through life. I know for me what is talked about in this whole array of verses is what has and is happening in my life. The word “salvation” is best translated as “being put back in correct order or relationship with how we were created to be.” So, when someone saves me, they are restoring me into the way of operating, into relationship, and into the identity God intended for me to have.
Since I live in “Fun Country” I would say… Isn’t this fun? Which of course it’s not. It just emphasizes how much it’s not in my ‘fun’ world. Real ‘fun’ is enjoying the new close relationship I was created to have.!
So…. Let us not labor in vain to bring about the salvation God has for us to bring to those around us! There is glory in the striving! 