“Let Us Not Allow Satan To Outwit Us!”

“Let Us Not Allow Satan To Outwit Us!”(II Cor. 2:5-11).
Whether we accept it or not, Church discipline – even when it is well intentioned – often ends up as a tool in the hands of Satan.
Church history attests to the fact that a good number of schisms came about because of strict Church discipline that refused to tamper justice with mercy! Vibrant ministers who as a result of discipline left the denominations where they were groomed have a common pain: Despite their wrongs as defined by their denominations, they were not given fair trial. They felt slighted that grace, mercy, compassion, love and forgiveness were lacking in the very place that was supposed to be the reservoir of grace, mercy, compassion, love and forgiveness.
When you beat a child, give him an opportunity to cry and afterward, embrace the child with tenderness and love. In Africa we beat a child but push the child under the bed. We do not beat a child and drive him outside. The enemy can take advantage and anything can happen to the child.
Our God is a forgiving God. We are his mouthpieces here on earth simply because he has forgiven us. God expects that we should be merciful to others in the same way that he has shown us mercy to us.
After the Truth and Reconciliation Commission had finished their work, Archbishop Desmond Tutu published a book titled, “No Future Without Forgiveness.” Judging from the kind of gory stories the Commission listened to, the prelate concluded that there was no future for South Africa if forgiveness was lacking.
Forgiveness reveals the depth of compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who forgive.
Discipline should not become a load too heavy to bear by the offender. To this end Paul says this is what we should do to the sinner:“The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you therefore to reaffirm your love for him…” We forgive the sinner so that “Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”
Yes, the Church, the body of Christ is fragmented and destroyed more through discipline bereft of the teachings of grace, mercy, compassion, love, and forgiveness.
Be an example of forgiveness; after all, no condition is permanent! No matter how stable it may seem, your calm sea may soon be very stormy. Tomorrow you may be the sinner who should be forgiven! Forgiveness is divine. God went to extremes, sacrificing his Son as an atonement for (y)our sins, so that we too can do same to others.
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit build in me a forgiving spirit and teach me to hate the sin but to embrace the sinner. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.