What To Do With The "Fallen"

"This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow." (2 Corinthians 2:6, 7)

Paul is writing here of the stern discipline which he enjoined the Church in Corinth to extend to a "fallen" brother.

This is perhaps the most difficult part of Church life.  Most congregations just choose to ignore or avoid discipline all together.  There were two times in the years in pastoral service where I had to "take action" with manifest sin.  There was no repentance, and I had to tell them to leave the church.  The important thing is that I did it for the welfare of the Church.  Incidentally, both were quite well off financially.

Notice in our text that the person disciplined was still in the Church at Corinth.  Apparently there was repentance, and now Paul was admonishing the Church, "to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow."  This is pastoral ministry, and the life style of those who, "follow the Lamb wherever He goes."  Restoration is a central "tenet" of the Church.

This is our Lord Jesus Christ, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."  This is the presence of Jesus in His Followers, viz., forgiveness with the admonition to, "change life style."  So many want forgiveness, but are unwilling to, "go and sin no more."  In the Church of Jesus Christ, there is not "one without the other."  The forgiveness of the Cross is based on repentance.  Though this is not popular evangelicalism, it is nonetheless the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

To forgive humanity without the command to, "go and sin no more," is to deny the power of, "Sin shall not have the dominion over you."  The old hymn says, "He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His Blood can make the foulest clean, His Blood availed for me."  If ever there was good news, this is "Good News."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to live and pass on to others, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."  Amen.

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I will be leaving tomorrow around 12:30 for the "march" in New York City.  Any prayers appreciated.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

The Coming of The Kingdom of God

"The Kingdom of  God does not come with careful observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!'  For indeed, the Kingdom of God is in your midst." (Luke 17:20c, 21)

It is quite clear that the Kingdom's "presence" is in Jesus Christ, "the Kingdom of  God is in your midst."  Most, however, looked right past Him.

1 John 5:20 tells us, "That we may know Him Who is true; and we are in Him Who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the True God, and eternal life."  You may not want to continue reading this since it seems repetitive, but I can assure you that nothing you read today can bless, encourage, and strengthen you more than the repetitive reminder of just Who Jesus Christ Is. 

The Living Triune God is unknowable, and, "no one has seen God at any time," is a Biblical reality.  The literal translation of John 1:18 , however, speaks of Jesus Christ, "The only Unique God has made Him known."  Who is, "Him"?-- God Himself.  If one does not center one's life in Jesus Christ, there is no use of speaking of God or the Kingdom, or "presence," or, well, anything.  No one can know, see, or "fellowship" God apart from, "the only Unique God," Jesus Christ.

Those to whom Jesus was speaking in our text were as the majority of humanity throughout history, and sadly, too many in Christendom.  They were listening to Jesus, admired His teachings, flocked to see more healings, deliverances, all the miracles.  Yet most, even those of his "twelve," did not realize who Jesus is.  There Jesus was, right in front of them, the Glory of the Blessed Trinity, His Very Presence in and upon Him, yet to most Jesus was just a 5' 8", 150 pound Middle Eastern Jew.

I speak of Jesus so much because as the psalmist declared, "The Lord Jesus Christ is my Light and my Salvation....The Lord Jesus Christ is the strength of my life...."  While the vast majority of humanity seeks "light" and "salvation" and "strength" in so many things, ways and, "gods many,"  I repeat myself gloriously with the very Words of God, "....Yet for us there is one God...and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through Whom we live."  And you and I and all of the, "whosoever will," may know The Living Triune God because of His shed Blood, Death, and Resurrection.

Father, in Jesus' Name, Glory be to You!  Amen.

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Please pray for my travels to New York this coming Saturday and Sunday

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

An Increasing Great Concern

"For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you."  (Habakkuk 1:5)

You may be interpreting this verse already and may not want to read on.

This passage is quoted often.   Every time I ever heard anybody refer to it, however, it was always in the vein of "great blessings" which you could not imagine.  I read today of an American "televangelist" who asked supporters to help him pay for a $54, 000, 000 private jet.  This is not the kind of, "work," which this phrase says in context.  Here is the context: "Look among the nations and watch-- be utterly astounded!...For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans,..to possess dwelling places that are not theirs."  Of course, this will not build mega ministries.

One of the other days' reading also talked about women in the Church.  It, like so many passages of Scripture, is not practiced in modern Christendom.  I have heard so many "explanations" over the years which attempt to give reasons Paul wrote such things.  One of them states that they are no longer applicable in light of "paradigm shifts."  People, such as Jimmy Carter, for instance, claim to be, "born again," yet vilify Israel, approve of the murder of the unborn, applaud homosexual "churches," denominations ordaining lesbian bishops, etc.  And this is not just in the so-called "liberal" denominations.  "Updating" Scripture is a phenomenon of every "branch" of Christendom.

Now what?  I am not advocating or arguing any "position" here today.  I am simply making the case that while there is so much talk of, "Get into the Word," or, "I love the Word," or, "The Bible is our guideline," it is a lot of code talk for making the Bible fit today's global cultures and the desires of the human race.  I am reexamining my own life and what I actually practice, for example, concerning the Sermon on the Mount.  I encourage you to join me.  Just start with the Gospels and read carefully, asking ourselves, "Is there anything in my life style which does not align with Your Words/Commands, Lord Jesus?"

Our Lord Jesus Christ brings us into, "the Household of Faith," and His Eternal Kingdom in His precious Blood.  His Words, through the Holy Spirit, keep His "Family" from, "the power of darkness."  If confessing Christians will continue to bastardize His Words, they will be doing as Jonah says, "forfeit the grace that could be theirs."  I know that you agree with me.  We need all the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I do not want to be a religious fanatic.  I do desire, however, to walk in You and You in me, according to Your Words.  I pray for mercy and grace to do so.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Reproach,..Insults...And Threats" No Problem

"I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the insults of the people of Ammon, with which they have reproached My people, and made arrogant threats against their borders."  (Zephaniah 2:8)

As so much of, "the Words of God," the Bible, this passage is being fulfilled right before the world's eyes.  "....Reproach.., insults...and threats," have always been weapons of those who reject the reign of Jesus Christ and attempt to destroy the Church.

Right now, enemies are attempting to literally breach Israel's borders.  And right now, the enemy of our souls is hurling, "reproach.., and insults...and arrogant threats," at you and me.  One way is to constantly bring up our past sins, our current weaknesses and failures, and the, "threats," that this will continue.  Now of course, none of this has any power over you and me, if we believe that under the Blood of Jesus we are protected against such lies, "the Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for Him."

Continue to go forth into this world, in it, but not of it.  I believe that Our Lord Jesus Christ is right now praying what He prayed in His "High Priestly" Prayer, "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one."  And He does and will, as long as we abide, live in Jesus Christ, His Words abiding in us, and we are utterly, totally dependent on Him. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray and believe that You are my only Keeper.  Amen.

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Lord Jesus willing, I will be in New York City the evening of June 2 to the evening of June 3.  I posted the poster of the event on Facebook; there was no way to put it on the devotional.  I will be joining thousands as we march down 5th Avenue from 57th Street to 74th Street, celebrating Israel's 70th.  Any prayers appreciated.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2