Would you forfeit God's love and grace to you because you can't afford such kindness to others?
There is something that we present day Christians ignore: Satan has a strategic, intelligent, subtle and long-term plan as well. The Apostle Paul in his Second Letter to the Churches in Corinth talks about this issue, chapter 2 verse 11. Paul is very aware of the Devil and evil. He and the Apostle Peter talk at length about the ways in which evil maneuvers and schemes; how pervasive the plans of the Evil one are played out in day-to-day life with the subtly of a slight breeze. This is not the evil of Paranormal Activity, ghost stories or any of the exorcism movies or accounts, but a bigger and eternal end, which is meant to leave as many possible foreign to the love of God.
While we may well be reminded that God, in his eternal wisdom, power and love has a grandiose design for all things, we cannot forget that the Devil, in his keen, observant and endless desire to ruin all that is and can become good, also has an end game. I think that we quietly ignore the craft of Satan when we relegate him to scarry movies and abandoned buildings. The Devil is active. The Devil is real. The Devil is not "out to get you" but to defame God and unsettle and make shipwreck people's faith in God.
In 2 Corinthians 2.5-11 we see Paul's specific concern regarding this area. In Paul's First Letter to these churches he brought about many deeply wicked and harmful issues that were fostered in the churches. He gave warning and instruction. Paul taught that some in the church could only be dealt with by excommunication, taking away the hand of fellowship. This is a hard word from Paul, but Paul always knew, and he stated it in his Letter, that this was so that the wayward one, the one stuck in his sin, might be returned to the faith: restored! And though it took more words from Paul the people obeyed his teaching, the teaching from the Lord. This is where the Devil came in--taking something good and turning it on its head all over again. While the people of Corinth were obediently following God's way they were becoming bitter of heart and cold to those who were outcast. The particular evil design of Satan that Paul is here shining light on is the Church not forgiving the repentant believers, denying community and fellowship.
God has shown time and time again that he will do what is necessary to bring his children's hearts and affections back to himself. Love is not known by its niceties, rather its tenacity for that which it loves! God has darkened my own connection with himself in order that I may long for him anew; his heart all the while loving with a love whose breadth I could never chart.
But the Corinthians, it seems, have forgotten the reason for putting this brother out of fellowship. And when he repents they are not accepting him back! Paul jumps on the Corinthians: "the punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I beg you to reaffirm your love for him." These are not suggestions by Paul but desperate command/pleas. Surely it may be unkind to not forgive such a one, but why such a BIG deal Paul? I mean, he did some bad stuff you know.
Here it is: if the people would not forgive and bring back in the ones who they formerly put out of the church, then they don't have the love of Christ; they would be denying the very power they are wanting; forfeiting the forgiveness that they need and rely on. Do you see it? Jesus said it, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:15). If the Corinthians did not want to forgive and bring back in their once lost brother than they had no business being a part of God's people, for we are all wrapped up in the same story.
"The church is a cosmic relationship" one preacher said. We don't have the authority or luxury of choosing our blood-bought kin. God commands us to love and to forgive.
Obedience is tough.
Discipline is tough.
Forgiveness is tough.
So which will prevail in your own heart: the design of God or the designs of Satan?
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