Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Friday, March 20, 2015

1 Corinthians 5

Paul wrote the Corinthians -

"LET a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."  (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 4:1 - 2)

What great counsel!  As I defined recently, the mysteries of God is knowledge that comes by revelation.  The scriptures are full of knowledge that comes by revelation.  Those called to minister have a responsibility, guided by the Spirit, to share appropriate "mysteries" with saints for the Savior warned -

"For it is not meet that the things which belong to the children of the kingdom should be given to them that are not worthy, or to dogs, or the pearls to be cast before swine."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 41:6)

Again, stewards are commanded to faithful and keep the commandments to be guided by the Spirit.

Paul also counsels the saints -

"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."  (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 4:5)

I have a tendency to do just that thinking I already know the thoughts and intent of the heart (especially politicians).

But even though we as saints have to be careful in judgment, the ministers of Christ or His stewards are also commanded that -

"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To 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.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us..."  (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 5:4 - 7)

This suggests to me that accompanied by His Spirit and power, there are times to deliver unto Satan or in other words, discipline, including excommunication that the individual might repent and be saved.  We don't glory in this but we also do so to keep such wickedness from corrupting the saints.

And to all saints -

"...now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."  (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 5:11)

It doesn't mean we don't befriend such, but be very careful becoming part of them.