Correction Is A Requirement

Correction deals with where you are versus where you should be according to your calling.  If you are in sin, correction may be harsh in your eyes yet it is necessary to save your soul.

Paul spoke by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 4:

14 I’m not writing this to embarrass you or to shame you, but to correct you as the children I Love. 15 For although you could have countless babysitters in Christ telling you what you’re doing wrong, you don’t have many fathers who correct you in Love. But I’m a true father to you, for I became your father when I gave you the Gospel and brought you into union with Jesus, the Anointed One. 16 So I encourage you, my children, to follow the example that I live before you.

What was the issue at Corinth?  He explained this in chapter 3:

3 Brothers and sisters, when I was with you I found it impossible to speak to you as those who are spiritually mature people, for you are still dominated by the mind-set of the flesh. And because you are immature infants in Christ, 2 I had to nurse you and feed you with “milk,” not with the solid food of more advanced teachings, because you weren’t ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready to be fed solid food, 3 for you are living your lives dominated by the mind-set of the flesh. Ask yourselves: Is there jealousy among you? Do you compare yourselves with others? Do you quarrel like children and end up taking sides? If so, this proves that you are living your lives centered on yourselves, dominated by the mind-set of the flesh, and behaving like unbelievers. 4 For when you divide yourselves up in groups—a “Paul group” and an “Apollos group”—you’re acting like people without the Spirit’s influence.

As I have written many times in the past, our mindsets must change if we are to become fully mature in The Holy Spirit and fulfill our callings.  We first must focus on Agape Love and embrace all that The Holy Spirit instructs.  He is speaking only what FATHER directs specific to our life, not the “Paul group” and an “Apollos group” or whatever teacher you have exalted in the past. 

The Holy Spirit will test all teachings and provide you a witness to the veracity of what is being taught by those who claim to have revelation.  If you disregard The Holy Spirit, it is at your peril!

We are not to tolerate “sin in the camp.”  Paul brings up this very issue with the immature church at Corinth.  Paul spoke by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 5 AND by Agape Love:

1–2 It’s been widely reported that there is gross sexual immorality among you—the kind of immorality that’s so revolting it’s not even tolerated by the social norms of unbelievers. Are you proud of the fact that one of your men is having sex with his stepmother? Shouldn’t this heartbreaking scandal bring you to your knees in tears? You must remove the offender from among you!

3 Even though I am physically far away from you, my spirit is present with you. And as one who is present with you, I have already evaluated and judged the perpetrator. 4 So call a meeting, and when you gather together in the name of our Lord Jesus, and you know my spirit is present with you in the infinite power of our Lord Jesus, 5 release this man over to Satan for the destruction of his rebellious flesh, in hope that his spirit may be rescued and restored in the day of the Lord.

This is a tough Word, especially when it applies to a loved one.  However, we must not let an opinion surface and compromise The Word.  We are to let him suffer the consequences of his actions.  FATHER tolerates no sin in The Holy of Holies, neither should we.  We cannot have a totally intimate relationship in the Secret Place if we allow sin amongst us.  We cannot fellowship with rebellious flesh and expect the power and authority to flow through us.

Apparently this man learned his lesson and repented, for Paul instructs the Corinthians in 2nd Corinthians chapter 2 to forgive and comfort him:

1 So until these issues were settled, I decided against paying you another painful visit. 2 For if I brought you pain, you would be unable to bring me joy. 3 And this was the very point I made in my letter, for I didn’t want to come and find sadness filling the very ones who should give me cheer. But I’m confident that you will do what’s right so that my joyous delight will be yours.

4 I wrote you previously sobbing and with a broken heart. I was filled with anguish and deep distress. I had no intention of causing you pain but to convey the overwhelming measure of my Love for you. 5 For the one who has caused me grief has not only grieved me but, to some extent, has caused you all grief as well. 6 I believe that your united rebuke has been punishment enough for him. 7 Instead of more punishment, what he needs most is your encouragement through your gracious display of forgiveness. 8 I beg you to reaffirm your deep Love for him.

9 You see, I wrote previously in order to see if your hearts would pass the test and if you were willing to follow my counsel in everything. 10 If you freely forgive anyone for anything, then I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I did so for you before the face of Christ, 11 so that we would not be exploited by the adversary, Satan, for we know his clever schemes.

Paul’s deep distress was expressed in his emotions.  However, this did not prevent him from urging them to remove the sin in the camp.  Yes, we may take an emotional hit when we express the requirement for separation but in the end, it is critical to our calling.

Unless we deal with sin in a righteous manner as explained by The Holy Spirit through Paul, we will be exploited by the adversary.  This is just one of his clever schemes.  He will use someone close to you in order to cause a separation between you and FATHER.  It will become difficult to hear The Holy Spirit and you will cease to mature.  We can no longer tolerate any hindrance to our maturity for it will keep the Living waters from flowing through us.

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