Yesterday

By David Smitherman

Yesterday...it exists only in fading memory, worn out photo­graphs, and history books. And yet, it is one of the finest learning centers available to us if we will only allow our­selves to be taught.

However, there is no living space in yesterday, so don't plan to reside there. As pleasant as it was, we cannot recall it, and Solomon warned against trying to live in it (Eccl. 7:10). Although reflections upon its achievements can be encouraging, be careful: yesterday is often larger than life. How we remember things being and how they really were are often two different things. Many, though, would not want to live in yesterday. For them it is a haunted house that is filled with regret, and memories of mistakes and failures they would like to forget (Gal 1:13).

But as wonderful or as humiliating as it may be, yesterday is not our savior, nor will it necessarily condemn us. It makes little difference how we were (1 Tim. 1:19), what we meant to do (Acts 24:25), or thought we would have done (Matt 23:29-36). God's standard for judging is not yesterday, and one's acceptance before God is not described in the past tense. And, regardless of past mistakes, God's grace and mercy are suf­ficient to forgive and to forget even if we are unable to do so (Psa. 103:12).

And even if the achievements of yesterday were great, remember that the memories of men are 'shorn: we, along with our accomplishments, will not likely be immortal. Yesterday will soon be forgot ten by tomorrow's generation (Eccl. 2:16; 9:13-18). "The world will little note nor long remember what we say here...” was not true of Lincoln's words but will be of ours.

What yesterday was is but a reflection of what tomorrow will be. Others have said it better: "Straight ahead lies yesterday" and “Those who are ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it." Solomon’s conclusion was, "There is nothing new under the sun" (Eccl. 1:9-11). Such statements remind us that looking back can help us to see ahead. Moses encouraged the Jews to "remember the days of old...ask your father...your e1ders, and they will tell you” (Deut 32:7). And because Rehoboam refused this counsel, he led a nation to divide (1 Kings 12:8). Yesterday brethren fought and churches divided, and the next generation does the same. A careful look at yesterday might have prevented it.

Yesterday reminds us of how short life is (Job 14:1-2). Our rapidly growing collection of yesterdays make us humble "True, today we are here, but tomorrow may see just a grave in the vale and a mem'ry of me." How easy it is to count our yesterdays. How impossible it is to know of our tomorrows.

Yesterday...our knowledge and memories of it can challenge and give courage, or depress and weaken resolve. What power there is in yesterday! Allow its power to aid in living happier today and in anticipating a better tomorrow. &

Put Away that Wicked Person

By Mark White

Sinful brethren must not be permitted to share in the fellowship or the company of faithful brethren.

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, there were many besetting problems facing the congregation. These troubles were all likely reported to him by members of Chloe's household (1 Cor. 1:11). We have no idea who Chloe was, nor just who in her family might have had communication with the apostle. Apparently, however, they were well-informed Christians who knew that sin was running amuck in the church of God at Corinth. They were obviously alarmed about several issues in the church and wanted Paul's inspired perspective and directive in dealing with the troubles.

First Corinthians chapter five begins with Paul stating that a common report was circulating regarding blatant, gross immorality among the brethren in Corinth. This instance of ungodliness was well known to Christians and likely to the Corinthian community at large.  Paul indicated that the immorality at Corinth was so repulsive that even Gentiles knew better than to practice such (v. 1). "Gentiles" is quite obviously used to distinguish believers from unbelievers, for the Corinthians were by nature Gentiles as far as their physical heritage was concerned. What a shame that unbelievers behaved better than Christians! Unregenerate Corinthians had quite an infamous reputation for their immorality in the first century. In that age, if one were to say of someone that he possesses the "morals of a Corinthian," you would be giving him no compliment at all. So, blatant sin practiced by Christians who previously were "washed, justified and sanctified" (1 Cor. 6:9-11) did incalculable damage to the cause of Christ. Paul could not let this pass without warning, rebuke, admonition, and a stern expectation that such a situation would immediately be corrected.

In particular, some brother in the church was guilty of "having his father's wife." This involved sexual sin. Many questions about this episode are unanswerable. For instance, "Was the man's father still living?" "Was the 'father's wife' an actual birth mother to the sinning brother at Corinth, or was she a step-mother?" "Was the man actually married to her, or was he carrying on a lustful tryst?" "What caused the Corinthians to turn a blind eye to this sin?" "Why was the church 'puffed up' instead of mournful over this situation?" We might venture some guesses in answering these questions but much remains unknown about why this problem existed in the first place. Apparently, the woman in question was not a Christian, for no instruction is given to the church about what should be done regarding her sin. Paul showed the Corinthians that they had responsibility to judge those who were inside the fellowship of the church (vv. 12-13). God would judge sinners outside the church.

Paul writes to the Corinthians as if he is shocked by their complacency regarding this case of sexual immorality.  It is almost as if he is saying, "I simply cannot believe these reports I am hearing about you! Surely, you know better than to behave this way." He also seems surprised that the thought has apparently not occurred to the Corinthians that "he who has done this deed might (should) be taken away from among you." (v. 2) Rather, the Corinthians had gloried in this sinful brother's behavior and Paul wrote, "Your glorying is not good" (v. 6). What made the Corinthians so proud ("puffed up" NKJV; "arrogant" NASB) concerning this man? Was he a prestigious member of the Corinthian society? Was he a wealthy man by whom these brethren may have been employed? Was he a "heavy contributor" to the first day of the week collection (1 Cor. 16:1, 2)? We simply do not know the answers. The fact that Paul did not have to call him by name is evidence, however, that everyone in the church knew of whom Paul wrote. This was not a private affair. It was well known to them all.

Paul forthrightly commanded the Corinthians to "deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (v. 5). Further, he enjoined that they should "purge out the old leaven" (v. 6). Finally, he reminded them of earlier instruction that they were "not to keep company with sexually immoral people" (v. 9). The apostolic expectation of the church was clear. They must not allow this sinning brother their approval and fellowship. They were "not even to eat with such a person" (v. 11), indicating that their social relationship with this brother could not continue as long as he practiced his sin.

Was it difficult for the church to obey this instruction? Yes, we think so. It is difficult for modern churches of Christ to obey, too. But before we quickly criticize the Corinthians, we might take a close look at our own congregation to see how lax or reluctant we have been to keep these directives. We have all made our share of excuses as to why we should not (or will not) "put away the evil person" (v. 13). Neglect of this command makes us all guilty of sin in one way or another. The Lord is simply not pleased with this and we will answer for our disobedience.

The leavening of the church by sin is destroying our ability to be lights in the middle of darkness (Phil. 2:16). God expected better of the Corinthians, and He expects better of us. (Via Biblical Insights, Vol. 4, No. 7, July 2004) &

Who Was Lucifer?

By Bob Myhan

Though many seem to think that the devil’s name was Lucifer before he fell, there is no evidence of this in Scripture. The only place the name Lucifer occurs is Isaiah 14:12. But that reference is to the king of Babylon (verse 4). &