In the New Testament, specifically 1 Corinthians 5, we read a suprising “solution” for believers that have “ventured too far away” from the kingdom. Here’s what I mean, in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 the apostle Paul is writing regarding believers who stray from the solid foundation of the faith. We read:
“It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst. For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Cor. 5:1-5, NASB)
What’s going on here? It would appear that a man within the congregation who is a redeemed child of God was participating in some grevious sin that was breaking the heart of the local church and maligning the heart of God openly. Now sin is sin to be sure, but the nature of this departure from the tenants of the faith was such that it was suprising, duplicitous at its core, and outright sin openly!
And if I may one further statement, even though the sin is vile and demoral, note the persons involved in that sin are still to be saved! As the apostle notes in verse 5b “…so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” Now the purpose of the message and frankly the purpose of the blog is encouragement so at this point you may be wondering, “how is this encouragining? I know for me, I have been at the low end of sin more often that I care to admit yet Christ loves me even still!
Perhaps not in this specific sin, but with sin in general, we have all been in similar situations. Whether embezzlement of the funds from our financier position, or cheating on taxes from a citizen’s perspective. Whether cheating on a game of cards with our friends or whating on our spouse by impure thoughts of another, we have ALL sinned! That is why we ALL need Christ!
Writing today’s blog post, I have been overtaken by the thought that Christ died for each of us at the right time in history that He might make the most impact for His kingdom regardless of whether we agree to His blessing or reject His care. His mercy is evident to all. Thus to return to the opening of the post, we should “turn the page” daily to be forgiven, restored, and recommissioned to go out into the fields white for harvest. And in doing so, we will find His forgiveness, His mercy, and His kindness extended to all who believe!
Blessings as you go!
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