In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ…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.
1 Corinthians 5:4-5
I did not fabricate this week’s opening verses. Although you may never hear these verses preached inside of your church, I promise you that they are in the Bible. But don’t take my word for it; instead, go get your Bible and read 1 Corinthians chapter 5.
We can no longer be content with churches that refuse to administer godly church discipline. It is time that we return to God’s design for His Holy Church. In other words, if we say that we are His Church, then we must operate as His Church.
In New Zealand, there is a city named Christchurch. This city, with a population of about 350,000 people, has been shaken to its very core. Since September 2010, it has registered around 7,500 earthquakes—if you ask me, that’s a whole bunch of shaking.
Personally, I think the name of this shaking city (Christchurch) is God’s warning to the Church. If we want to continue being Christ’s Church and continue operating in His Spirit, then we must shake things up and begin cleaning house, “…thou shalt put evil away from among you” (Deuteronomy 13:5, 17:7, 19:19, 22:21-22, 24:7).
Putting evil away from us does not refer to casting out sinners who come for help. Rather, it refers to church members who claim Christianity and yet they continue living lives of habitual sin. “…you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a Christian yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Don't even eat with such people” (2 Corinthians 5:11, NLT).
Far too long, the Church has refused to clean its own house, and consequently, it has become contaminated with all sorts of sins.
In fact, we even cringe at the thought of giving someone over to Satan. However, God’s Word, as spoken by Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church, tells us that there is a point where we must release a wayward soul into the hands of our enemy, Satan. But we cannot do this lightly!
In a perfect world and in a perfect Christian church, no one would have to be delivered to Satan, because everyone would judge his or herself. “But let a man examine himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:28). “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31).
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world; nor are there any perfect churches in this world. Thus, we encounter situations in which the saints of God are to judge their fellow man (a man who claims Christianity). We don’t judge in the spirit of hatred or malice; instead, we judge in the spirit of love…solely for the purpose of godly correction.
If a church member claims to be a Christian and yet refuses to turn from his or her sins, that member should be removed from Christian fellowship. The purpose of removing offenders from fellowship is to bring them shame, which causes them to repent of their sins. We simply want to save their souls. “…have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).
Sin within the church body must be disciplined, because undisciplined sin can quickly contaminate the whole body. Therefore, we have to take a godly stand and stop condoning sin. Give the habitual sinner, who claims Christianity, over to Satan. “…Don't you realize that if even one person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected?” (1 Corinthians 5:6, NLT).
Christchurch, New Zealand, is being shaken. Likewise, Christ’s Church, is also being shaken. We must begin cleaning house and removing sin. Sin is a contaminating force that is like a deadly disease. If it is left untreated, it will quickly spread and destroy many (Joshua 7).
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Ephesians 5:11
Three Key Concepts:
1. We must discipline evil within the church walls.
2. Undisciplined sin will spread within the church.
3. In order to save souls, we must turn some people over to Satan.
