The Hard Way

1 Corinthians 5:1-5

Learning is one of life’s most fundamental virtues. In their beginning stages, babies learn to walk, talk, and manipulate their parents into submission of their wills. Adolescents take advantage of opportunities to grasp the rudimentary principles of education, including reading, writing, and arithmetic in school, or at home. High school graduates set goals to learn a specific trade or field of study, in hopes of contributing to society in their profession. Learning is extremely valuable, and allows for one to grow accordingly in specific areas of life, while avoiding the dangers associated with ignorance.

While learning is inherently good, the are times when some individuals require hard lessons, after refusing to abide by the rules and guidelines that govern proper learning standards. For example, a baby who makes a habit of flicking peas off their spoon, may get a little “pow pow” on their hand or wrist, in hopes they’ll learn to refrain from those actions in the future. Another example involves children who refuse to do their homework consistently, and could be reprimanded by their teacher, as well as their parent, who’s discipline is intended to push them to shift their focus back in the right direction. College students who find it more important to drink and party, rather than attend class, could find themselves arrested, thrown in jail, or even suspended for a time from school. Discipline is enforced solely to cause one to change their mind from behaving contrary to the standards they are expected to adhere to.

In our text, the apostle Paul enforced strict discipline on an individual who’s actions were unacceptable according to righteous standards. Although the early church was still in development, and the people were growing gradually by faith, there were some who deliberately went against the teaching of the Gospel, and participated in acts even the Gentiles were wise enough to avoid. What made matters worse was, those who knew about the man’s deliberate sinful act, were so consumed in their own affairs, they neglected to rebuke him for his evil deed. Paul, in his absence, commanded the church to gather in a meeting, and deliver the man unto satan, “for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” Throughout the Christian community, there are debates as to the meaning of this text, but I’m more inclined to believe, the man who willfully sinned was excommunicated from the Corinthian church, and satan was permitted to afflict his body, which would eventually bring him to repentance.

Sometimes in life, we’ll go through times of difficulty, but only to shift our focus from satisfying our selfish needs, to fulfilling God’s purpose for us. Be mindful of straying too far away from biblical learning, as you continue to grow in grace, because there will always be times when you’re tempted to go against God’s standards, in favor of fulfilling worldly and selfish desires.

Bring Them In

John 1:37-42

Of all the disciples who followed after Jesus, none were more recognized than Simon Peter. Upon meeting Jesus for the first time, Peter was instantly given the name, Cephas or a stone. In other words, Jesus was actually able to judge a man at first sight, and saw that Peter was strong, firm, and not easily swayed from what he set his mind to. Peter did many great things for the cause of Christ, and a great many people were saved because of his obedience to the will of God. All that Peter did for God’s kingdom was counted as worthy in the eyes of the Father, but what if his brother Andrew never left from following John the Baptist, sought to find him, and brought him to meet Jesus? Andrew could have easily stayed with John or Jesus, and learned from their teaching, but it’s hard for anyone to have an experience with the Son of God, and not run to tell others about it. There’s a song that has the words, “Said I wasn’t gonna tell nobody but I… Couldn’t keep it to myself, what the Lord has done for me.” Reading the words of Scripture are always fascinating, but can you imagine hearing those same words coming from the mouth of the Son of God? Andrew knew, bringing his brother to Jesus would be a great thing, and he was right!

One of the mandates of the Christian is, to go out and make disciples. In the book of Matthew, Jesus said it this way, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” In the books of the Ephesians, the apostle Paul summarizes that God’s purpose is to bring everything into subjection to Jesus Christ through the church. He says that the church is the vehicle the Father wishes to use to subject all things to the Son. Andrew was wise in sharing Jesus words with his brother, and the world was never the same because of it.

How many people have you brought to Christ since you’ve been born again? Do you read, study, and meditate on the Word of God, only to keep it all to yourself? Or, do you willfully share God’s goodness with those you meet? I’ve heard a few cool phrases over the years that are relevant to this lesson: “Each One Reach One”, and “Many Hands For Many Hearts”. God wants all of mankind to subject themselves to His Son, but many had unfortunately chosen the unrighteous path, which led to their demise. For those who remain in the earth, there is still hope, and the church should shift their focus from self and amusement, to diligently winning souls for God’s kingdom.

God seeks the scattered people

Ezekiel 34:11-16

If Christ visited the earth for a few days, and disguised Himself as to not be recognized, He would find the state of the body of believers in total disarray. While I strongly believe that most Christians truly have a heart for God, many of them have been conditioned into following the doctrines of wicked men, that have caused a great number of people to be lost, and find it difficult to find their way home when they come to their senses. Just as sheep scatter when being manipulated by thieves or hirelings, Christians struggle, trying to see the truth in the teachings of false prophets and teachers. The church has become divided, due to all the religions, beliefs, and teachings men have made into doctrine. Many have even left churches and religious organizations, because they’ve gotten to a point where they are uncertain what to believe.

When the shepherd returns to find his sheep scattered, he works diligently to gather them back together into safety. The shepherd cares deeply for his flock, because it provides a number of benefits to his purpose, including meat, milk, wool, hides, and skins. A sheep’s wool is the most widely used animal fiber, and is usually harvested by shearing. Sheep also help plants and other vegetation to obtain water and nutrients better because the soil has been loosened from their grazing. Just as sheep are valuable to shepherds, believers are of great importance to God. We were all fearfully and wonderfully crafted by the Creator, to do amazing things on the earth to fulfill His purpose. The Spirit of God has imbued us with power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. We have the power to get wealth, as well as the power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

The enemy knows what God’s sheep are capable of, so he thrives on deceiving even the very elect, because they have the power of influence to manipulate mass numbers of believers. The day is fast approaching when God will rescue His people from the jaws of evil and wicked men. Just as it hurts the heart of a parent to see their children suffer, God is nearing the end of His patience for watching His children be used, abused, deceived, manipulated, hurt, defeated, enticed, and being fed false doctrine. God will take it upon Himself to personally gather His people, move them from wicked atmospheres, place them in healthy and pleasurable habitations, then nurse them all back to good health. Many don’t realize that they are being deceived, but God knows, and He won’t allow them to suffer in their position too much longer.

All those who have been malnourished from years of deception and false doctrine, worry not, because your Father in Heaven will soon gather you together, and heal those who are sick, bind up the broken, bring back those who were driven away from the church, and most importantly, destroy the strongholds of oppression, and feed wicked men their deserved judgment.

Walk in love,

Ell