For to this end I
also wrote,
that I might put to
the test,
whether you are
obedient in all things.
Now whom you forgive
anything,
I also forgive. For if indeed I have
forgiven anything, I
have forgiven that one
for your sakes in the
presence of Christ,
lest Satan should
take advantage of us;
for we are not
ignorant of his devices.
2 Corinthians 2: 9 --
11
How are we
to understand what Paul wrote and how we translate the Greek word
"test?" So, to answer this
question we simply look at the original Greek word which is: δοκιμήν, this word
is an accusative singular verb that finds its roots in: δοκϊμος, and carries
the meaning of proved, tried, approved after examination and trial, and in this
form it is proof by trial, or the state of this position of that which has been
tried and approved, approved character or temper, and here in this verse speaks
of proof, documentation, or evidence.
Therefore Paul is saying that he has tested the information given to him
and approved it as being true and by this examination also found whether or not
those who were chastening one who had gone astray as whether or not they were
following Scripture or were they just judging out of some presuppositional
idea. This person who had received
excommunication and now been received back into the congregation and who are to have
communion with the congregants of the congregation depended upon their
reconciliation and not only with God, but with men also, whom they have
scandalized or injured. This censorship,
they must understand, comes from their love of the Lord Jesus Christ and their
love for this person, as well as their hatred for the sin. The design was to reform that person and not
to ruin him. Now here is where many
churches fall short when it comes to dealing with sin and a person who is sinning and a place
that person under some punishment which most churches do not even attempt to
do. One of the problems is that they
allow sorrow for sin and allow that sorrow and the need to restore a sinner to make them unfit for
other duties because they have been driven to despair. The Corinthian church though, showed
obedience according to their understanding of the apostles direction on how to
pass censorship upon an offender and how to restore that person. As leaders who are authentic Christians and
following Scripture must be reminded that part of their duties is to chastise sin within their congregations for they are the ministers of God and are
the ones doing the chastening of the Lord.
The writer of Hebrews wrote:
"And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when
you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges
every son whom He receives’" (Hebrews 12: 5 -- 6; Proverbs 3: 11 -- 12). If we despise the chastening of the Lord,
and this weak and feeble attempt to avoid God’s chastening is to simply
quench the Spirit. If you rely simply
upon some experience of sanctification, that is really only a shadow of
sanctification, then we mistake the shadow for reality so that when God chastens us we say that it must be of the devil. Then we try to avoid this chastening. When God chastens you, and this He does by the leaders and elders
of the church, if it's a personal situation then we followed Matthew chapter
18th advice on how to handle such situations, we are to allow God to have His
way and we become by doing so rightly related to God. The question is are you, am I, prepared to let God grab a hold of
me by His power and do the work indeed that is worthy of Himself? You did not raise the idea of
sanctification. Sanctification is not
what you want God to do for you. Sanctification
is God's idea of what He wants to do for you and this requires that God has to
get you into the attitude of mind and spirit so that at any cost you will let Him sanctify you wholly. If we do not
take the time or make the effort to keep our congregations pure then we begin
to allow people to do what ever they feel is right for themselves even though
it may be in contradiction to Scripture.
For instance, we find that women are wearing very very short dresses so
that they must, if they are to be modest, somehow protect themselves from view. Or, they are showing some much flesh by low
dresses that show much mammary flesh, as though this is important, or by those
who are tattooing themselves on their arms and their necks. This I speak of both men and women in even
the men are dressing as though they are of this world rather than showing
ethical Authentic Christianity. Or,
wearing clothes that are simply as low as their pubic bones, and no one seems to be doing
anything, or very little. Therefore sin finds its way
in to the congregation because this is one of the devices of Satan and Paul
warns us against such devices. This
deals much with our attitude and whether or not Jesus Christ's holds priority
in our lives. As in other things,
wisdom is profitable to direct us so that the Ministry, that is the Gospel of
Jesus Christ is not to be blamed for indulging in sin. Yet, on the other hand when one is sinning
and may have need for excommunication even though while we follow the metric of
the Bible in this regard we never lose sight of our for that one. The enemy how to avail himself
upon our sinfulness and desires. Satan
represents licentiousness and he raises contradiction slanders to prejudice
people of the church against the truth and to also destroy the peace of the
church. Therefore, let us study and get
acquainted with the devices of Satan by spending time and attention to the
Scriptures, being watchful over ourselves, and conferring with our brothers and
sisters in Christ with fervent prayer so that we may contact those who are sinning
and the devices of Satan.
He who is often rebuked,
and hardens
his neck,
will suddenly be destroyed,
and this
without remedy.
When the righteous are in authority,
the people
rejoice;
but when a wicked man rules,
the people
groan.
Proverbs 29: 1 -- 2
A wise person contends with the foolish
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