VII.
Today, pay attention to how Paul concludes this letter and let that be the lens through which you read his words again.

Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Be restored; listen to my appeal; agree with one another; live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

VIII.
2 Corinthians 13:5-11 (NRSVue)

Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed. But we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong. This is what we pray for, that you may be restored. So I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I come I may not have to be severe in using the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Be restored; listen to my appeal; agree with one another; live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

IX.
So we are to “listen … agree with one another … live in peace …”

Is that the means by which we are “restored”?

Or maybe, “the God of love and peace” who is with us is the means of restoration and redemption and experiencing the abundant Kingdom life Jesus spoke of and prayer of …

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be on earth as in heaven.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}