| MISUNDERSTANDINGS Misunderstandings, especially in church life, are often among the most difficult problems to deal with. Sometimes they arise from a wrong construction on what someone has said. Other times they occur because of only partial knowledge of the facts involved. Not giving a person the benefit of a doubt can also cause serious misunderstandings. The Corinthian church could not understand Paul's change in his travel plans. He had promised to visit them but he had not kept his promise. Why? Paul had changed his plan because he believed it was God's will to follow a different path. But some of the Corinthian Christians could not accept that explanation and a serious misunderstanding had arisen between them and Paul. Paul had three reasons why he had changed from Plan A to Plan B. First, as he had said, it was the Lord's will. Second, he didn't want to hurt them again (v.23). The third reason was that he wanted them to deal with the matter of church discipline themselves. He assured them that he was not breaking faith with them. He wanted to be faithful for the sake of Christ. God is faithful (v.18) and if Paul acted in an unfaithful way, it would reflect on God and on Christ. It is still true today. People are not likely to trust God if they can't trust His children, are they? The faithfulness of God is one of the great themes of the Bible. There are many verses which speak of this - "I am the Lord, I change not." "If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He cannot deny himself." What is the lesson for us? Be true to your word. If you cannot do what you have promised, make sure that those concerned know the reason. Don't bring shame to the name of Christ by not living up to your promises. IF PEOPLE CAN TRUST YOU THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO TRUST YOUR GOD. | 
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