THE NUCLEAR OPTION

 

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

 

THE NUCLEAR OPTION

 

1 Cor 5:1-5

5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.  KJV

 

1 Tim 1:19-20

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. KJV 

 

          Generally, ministers and listeners prefer the softer approach to “reproof, rebuke, and exhortation” but there is a nuclear option which Paul used on at least two occasions.

 

          Within the Corinthian church there was a man who “had his father’s wife.” Couched in gentle language is an act that Paul described as worse than the sinful acts of the “Gentiles.” So, yes, it was bad, and the church had taken no action to remedy the situation. The action Paul prescribed was not to punish a transgressor but to purify the church. What was that action? It was to DELIVER this young man, officially, to Satan. I will deal with the word in a little bit.

 

          The second time Paul used the nuclear option was to DELIVER Hymenaeus and Alexander to the control of Satan because of their opposition. They had made their own faith a “shipwreck” and were threatening to shipwreck the faith of others.

 

          The word DELIVER is the Greek word paradidomi which means “to surrender, yield up, and transmit.” This is the nuclear option because it is the most powerful thing that might be done. If you read Job, then you know that Satan’s power is limited by God. The believer is protected from much of Satan’s destructive evil. However, on two occasions, Paul, as a judicial act, asked God to remove this protection so that Satan might have freedom to act. It is nuclear! It is reserved for hard cases.

 

          We do not know the outcome of Hymenaeus and Alexander, but we are told in Second Corinthians that this option was effective. The sinning man repented of his sin and abandoned his actions resulting in a “clearing” of the situation. (2 Corinthians 7:11) The intention of all corrective actions is for restoration.

 

Thank you, Lord, that all the fury which should have rightfully been directed at me was poured out upon the Perfect Sacrifice. AMEN

IN THE NAME OF RELIGION

 

Monday, April 24, 2023

 

IN THE NAME OF RELIGION

 

Ps 22:15

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. KJV

 

          My thoughts this morning are disturbing and disappointing, even to me. I am amazed at the despicable things that are done in the name of religion. This is what I see in the phrase “the assembly of the wicked.”

 

          Most scholars see this assembly only as the crowd of onlookers at the cross. I see the religious officials who, in their exalted authority, had concluded that this Jesus was an obscene affront to their organized system. I see their systematic and ritualistic observances as the very antithesis of righteousness and purity. Their actions intended to defend honor made them dishonorable men. Jesus warned of the robed piety of impious men.

 

Matt 23:3-5

3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments. KJV

 

          If your religion is all about structure, symbolism, and mystic ritual, then your religion has no heart for they that worship God must worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” How sad it must have been for Heaven to look upon religious leaders as they crucified the Son!

Ps 51:6-7

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. KJV

 

Lord, I would not join the ranks of the arrogant and elegant religious gentry. I would be found in the wilderness, clad in garments of camel’s hair and feeding on locusts and wild honey. AMEN

THE NATURE OF OUR ADVERSARY

 

Sunday, April 23, 2023

 

THE NATURE OF OUR ADVERSARY

 

John 10:9-10

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. KJV

 

Eph 6:12 Amplified

12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

 

1 Peter 5:8

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 

          Don’t be misled. Those with whom you contend may unwittingly oppose you at the behest of Satan. Consider this. Does your opponent wish for a better outcome or simply for your downfall? Do you know? Moreover, does he or she know? Have either of you asked the question?

 

          Consider the consequences of capitulation. Will a better outcome result because you have finally come to your senses and listened to reason or will it result in loss, and destruction? Satan has not come to negotiate for a better set of circumstances. If that were so it would be reasonable to align ourselves with his plans. No, he comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy.

 

          We understand that it is sometimes necessary for reasonable men to compromise for the greater good, but pure evil does not desire a greater good. The word “devour”, in 1 Peter 5:8 is katapino which means to “gulp down.”

 

2 Thess 3:1-2

3 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable (actively malicious) and wicked men: for all men have not faith (neither are they held by it).

 

Lord let me be thoughtful and reasonable, always willing to work cooperatively for a better outcome even though the plans for such an outcome are not my own. Let me also be wary and cautious for all men are not held by and do not exercise the faith they claim to own. AMEN