2 Corinthians 2:9

2 Corinthians 2:9 says, For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.  Paul was still referring to the church at Corinth following his advice on how to deal with the person who was causing problems by removing him from the fellowship.  The church in no way controls salvation, but still must not let one or two people disrupt the service.  Paul said that as they had followed his suggestion to remove the person from the fellowship of believers, the church, that he now hoped that they would follow his advice to restore the person if they had repented of their sin.  Verse ten adds, To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;  Paul said that anyone the the church at Corinth forgave that he forgave also, because of his relationship to Christ.  We are to be forgiven by God as we forgive others.  We cannot simply judge sinners but must reach out to them with love and forgiveness.  Verse eleven continues, Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.  Paul warned them that not reaching out to others in love allows Satan to take advantage.  Problems in the church should always be dealt with out of an attitude of love.  Verse twelve states, Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,  Paul came to Troas to preach the gospel, and while he was there another door was opened by the Lord.  We cannot let what we are doing, even if we are being successful, keep us from seeing when God opens another door for us to go through.  Just like Paul, we must be open to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and not rely strictly on our plans for serving God.  Verse thirteen adds, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.  Paul said his spirit could not rest because he could not find Titus, but he still left for Macedonia.  We can only be faithful to our own calling, no matter what is happening in the lives of others.  Verse fourteen continues, Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.  Paul gave thanks to God Who enabled them to triumph wherever they went through the power of Christ.  When we are successful in presenting the gospel to the world, it is because of our following the leadership of God through the direction and strengthening of the Holy Spirit.  Verse fifteen says, For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:  Paul said that they were a sweet savor to God because they were obedient to Him.  The outcome wasn't what made Paul special to God, but the obedience is what mattered.  We cannot guarantee that people will accept the gospel when we present it, but we must always be faithful in presenting it.  Verse sixteen adds, To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?  Paul said that for those who refused to believe that they were a savior of death to death.  We can point people to life through Christ, but we cannot make them accept it.  To those who believed, Paul said they were a savior of life unto life.  Paul was a savior only by pointing others to Christ, the only Savior.  When we accept Christ as our Savior, we have life now and we will continue to have life forever. In verse seventeen Paul states, For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.  Paul declared that they were not like many who were corrupting the word of God, but God was their witness that they spoke the truth of Christ.  We also must proclaim the uncorrupted gospel.