Serious Discipline

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. We thank God for His goodness, His mercies, faithfulness and grace. He is indeed faithful.

Primary Text

“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, on the man who has committed such a deed. When you and my own spirit are met together with the power of our Lord Jesus, You are to deliver this man over to Satan for physical discipline [to destroy carnal lusts which prompted him to incest], that [his] spirit may [yet] be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 5v4-5 (AMP)

Paul continues his letter to the church in Corinth telling them what to do about the man who is involved in an incestuous sexual relationship with his father’s wife. Paul is saying here to the church, hold a meeting, and then hand him over to Satan for physical discipline. From the Dakes Bible commentary, we read that “The purpose of delivering him to Satan was to destroy the flesh. This required members to withdraw all fellowship and spiritual influence from him, and to quit praying for him, so as to permit Satan to afflict his body thus perhaps bringing him to repentance, that his spirit might be saved in the end. This was effective, for in the second letter Paul wrote the church to forgive him lest he should be swallowed up in overmuch sorrow (2 Cor. 2:6-7).” While it wasn’t God that was going to bring these troubles upon him, the purpose was to make him become repentant. It is amazing that sometimes as human beings it is when we are in the most need or trouble that we often remember God. But beloved, while it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10v31), I will rather endure the chastening and rebuke of the Lord than ever getting into a situation where I lose the fellowship and prayer of the brethren. Because those who the Lord loves, He chastens (Hebrews 12v6). Beloved, deal with any sin that might be coming your way, don’t let things get out of hand.

Supplementary Text

“My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to Your decrees.” Psalm 119v71 (NLT)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word and Your love. Father, if there is anything in us that is not of You, please purge, please uproot every tree that You have not planted in us, and glorify Yourself in our lives in Jesus name, amen.