Jump Start # 348

2 Corinthians 2:0-11 “But one whom you forgive anything, I forgave also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for our sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

  Satan is wicked to the core. He will use anything, anyone, and any time to try to trip us up. Paul knew that. He wanted the Corinthians to get that. This chapter of Corinthians is a follow up to something that happened in first Corinthians. There we learn that one of the Christians was living immorally. He was having sexual relations with “his father’s wife,” which either means his mother or step-mother. Even the pagans knew that was wrong. The church did nothing. Paul led the church to disciplining this man. Church discipline—now that’s something you don’t hear churches practicing these days. It seems like churches are so happy to get people that they don’t care—they don’t care how you live or what you do. That’s not the message of the N.T. Before we belong to a congregation, we belong to Jesus. He expects us to the lights of the world. We are to be holy as he is holy. We are to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. Not all do this. Not all want to do this. Just like kids at home, sometimes folks act up. Any home that doesn’t have some discipline is going to crash.

  The Corinthian church withdrew fellowship from this man. The social contact was restricted. It was a serious step to awaken this man from his sinful lifestyle. His soul was more important than their social interaction. It worked. The man changed. He repented. He returned to his walk with the Lord.

  Our verse, about forgiveness, is written about this situation. The church has made the hard decision to stand up to this man, now it’s time to show love, acceptance and forgiveness. This is as important as the other. Discipline without forgiveness can make a person, or a church, hard, mean and cold. That’s not the way of Christ.

  Paul’s message is that if you don’t forgive you give the Devil an advantage. Satan will use that opportunity to chip away at faith, to make some bitter and to cause some to quit walking with Jesus.

  I love Paul’s expression, “We are not ignorant of his schemes.” Satan has plans. He has ways. He intends to work his way into homes, congregations and hearts. We know that. We know how he works.

  I wonder if today we are not as street smart about Satan as the early Christians were. I hear folks going to questionable places, hanging around people with not the best character and saying, “It’s ok.” Is it? Are you aware of Satan’s schemes? Getting you away from other Christians is a powerful plan of Satan. Rarely does the lion take a flying leap into a herd of antelope, instead, he waits until one isn’t paying attention and is grazing alone, then, suddenly, without notice, the lion leaps and has antelope lunch. That’s what he does to us.

  Ignorance isn’t bliss, as the saying goes. It’s dangerous. It gets you into trouble. Before our Navy Seals went in and got Bin Laden, they studied and learned and prepared. They were not ignorant. Do you know your enemy? He knows you. He knows which buttons to push. He knows which temptations, tempt you the most. He knows when you are weak. He knows what gets you down. He knows your strong points. Satan knows you. Do you know him?

  James said resist, and he will flee from you. Jesus told Peter to pray that he would not enter into temptation. Do you know what works against Satan.

  Paul especially knew that the lack of forgiveness will open the door to Satan. To the person who needs forgiveness, he is left alone in his guilt and remorse. Regret will eat him up. The lack of acceptance will keep him away from other Christians. Eventually, he’ll quit. Judas did. He tried to return the money he got for betraying Jesus. He had a change of heart. The Jews didn’t care. No one was there to forgive Judas. Eaten with guilt he hung himself.

   The Corinthians need to forgive as well. Not just for the sake of the brother who had done wrong, but for their own sake. Failing to forgive keeps them from moving on. The hurt caused by this man remains. It’s like picking a scab. As long as you keep doing that, the wound won’t heal. Bitterness and gossip fill the heart when forgiveness is not extended.

  Satan was hoping. He wanted bitterness and guilt to fill the Corinthian skies. This is the very thing that could begin to undo the entire church. Paul knew that. Satan knew that. There was but one thing to do—do the right thing and forgive.

  Now, how about you? Are you aware that even today, Satan has you in this sights. He is looking for ways to get you. It may be at work…it may be at home. Get you alone…get you with the wrong people…hit your weak spots. He’s there. He’s lurking. He’s watching. He sees what you are doing. He’s planning.

  Enough, already. Resist. Be strong in your faith. Bring God into the equation by praying to Him. Do the right thing. Don’t be ignorant of your enemy…he’s certainly not ignorant of you.

  May God help each of us, starting with just today!

 Roger