Time has a way of destroying things we hold dear. Pictures fade. Favorite songs are left un-played and unheard. Our first car is long gone. Even our bodies – after a certain age – start to deteriorate. One of the most precious gifts we ever hold is someone we love. Relationships are not immune to the damage of time and the reality of human fallibility. We make mistakes and those mistakes hurt the ones we love. What do Christians do about this? Paul is talking to his children in the faith in Corinth. He is discussing their complaint that he didn’t come when he said he would. Now, as he explains, he gives a description of the inner workings of a relationship in Christ that works toward restoration. There is an enemy that works against this, and our pain in relationship can often make it feel impossible. But in Christ, forgiveness is normal and restoration is done through the power of Christ.
