Does Paul Say We Should Punish Ourselves When We Sin?

Does the apostle Paul say we should punish ourselves when we sin is one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity will hi there, and happy Friday. This is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

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Our phone lines will be open for the next 25 minutes or so, so give us a call right now. You can also post your question on her Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts. You can watch us live on YouTube and send us a message. That way, and you can email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com will first up today let's go to D in Bakersfield, California.

D what your question for Pastor Israel regarding patients like Mason, Eastern Star Job's daughters. My brother's keeper is treated either state that they can worship Satan, and so also is there Scripture that we can go to China and combat steady well I'm not similar with with some of the ones that you mentioned to me these are sort of like some of them secret societies were people get together clubs that typically have. You know the kind of creed that they will follow. Sometimes it's it's based on morality. I know the Masons. For example, you know that they you know, confess, a kind of belief in a general supreme being that kind of a thing and can't smoke be satanic sure MEI dating one of the issues with organizations like this is sometimes is this things that happen that we just don't know about it and that's that's goes hand-in-hand with being a secret organization, but I would want to go all the way just because I really don't know all of the teachings of the Freemasons.

But here's what I will say if you're looking for a community to join a community where you can find fellowship encouragement where you're going to get good doctrine, sound doctrine, God gave us that it's called the church and I think what one thing that I would caution people from is your symptoms, we can get really caught up and in some some organization or some club and that becomes our primary community.

Our primary quote unquote fellowship, to the neglect of the note of the local church if you're Christian. If you believe in Jesus Christ you should be in the church invested in the church growing together with your brothers and sisters there in relationship and growing under the ministry of the word, and so I would just encourage people you know if they're interested in. In organizations like these, and I think it but for the Masons. For example, you you you can even join if you're a woman it's it's strictly for men I would say look focus on growing together in the community that God is given us the local church. That's key that big guy from the triangles looking at you right now. Yeah, the ISR or Taco Bell that a commercial or using the bases. It was kind of scary so I don't know a lot about them either, but I'm I'm sure it's any secret society.

Who knows what's really going on there. Right yeah this is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez.

If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. We would love to hear from you. It's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to Scott in O'Fallon, Illinois. Scott what your question for Pastor Israel I called so so many very high profile Christian leaders is one know my faith is not shaken when they fall.

But how does one build your faith back after so you know I'm the one that comes to mind is Robbie Zacharias and I want to name names, but that's the reality and and how do we get back to having faith in in our leaders. In light of what goes on with so many of them are too many of them these days really appreciate that question Scott and these in a sleep dimension, Robbie Zacharias, and there been many high profile Christian leaders and even just pastors who have fallen into sin and engage in behavior that disqualified them from the ministry and of course with Ravi Zacharias and all came out after after his death.

I know some of it was coming out earlier in and people weren't paying attention really just a tragic situation then that the sort of whole thing blew up and and people's faith was shaken. Glad to hear that your your faith wasn't shaken but what what happens is we can begin to project what we see there on to even our own. You know, pastor, and in the local church, we can begin to have this suspicion, and so I would say 11 of the things it that these events remind us of it are just does the importance of having accountability structures within the local church and within organizations where you have people who are no high-profile quote unquote Christian teachers and and leaders were talking about the word of God. We need to have accountability I think of what the apostle Paul said in first Corinthians chapter 10 you let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall in and what we see here is a warning for all of us. But I also know me. You see it, but I also know that there are so many faithful pastors and and Bible teachers who are really seeking to honor the Lord and walk with the Lord faithfully and are held accountable by brothers in the Lord and in and so I think we just don't want to project you know that the pain that we went with you like Robbie want to make sure that were not projecting that onto our pastor per se, but that were also being wise saying they are there accountability structures in place to protect Christian leaders and Bible teachers and are they open to those structures if they aren't, there's a real there's a real issue. That's it. That's a big red flag and so at and then you know for those who are immediately affected. I think of people were in a church with with the pastor sends or commits adultery. I think I think the healing takes a long time. It it's you know you can have to take a step back and you have to investigate know how did how do we get to this place where where did did the that this individual fall short. Give into maybe temptation. Were there things that that the church and you accountability why structure wise wasn't providing and so you know that there's no easy answer here but it the healing takes time brother and and I think you can still not the still be encouraged by the fact that there are many Christian leaders who are faithful and wanting to continue to serve the Lord with a clear conscience and are doing just that and will you and I were talking about this the other day that as you just mentioned. If there is a Christian leader, especially somebody who has become very popular and has a large following and they're not surrounding themselves by people who will hold them accountable for just now surrounded by yes-men who are sure, whatever you want to not asking the hard questions, not holding them accountable for their behavior. That's when you're running into problems and we've seen this repeatedly over the past couple years yeah it it is so important that we have structures of accountability known Peter talk about false false teachers in second Peter he said one of the things about them is that they despise authority.

They don't want accountability and so we as as you not to give myself as a pastor you know like we have to pursue accountability.

Openness I think and in healthy context, and in ways that were able to be honest and and that's not just true for pastor true for everyone in the Christian life you wheat we have to have this one. Of that one of the biggest at this research came out a while ago on just longevity and in in ministry and one of the big findings was isolation kills. If you don't have a community where you can be honest and where were you able to be real and there them that there are real big problems that begin to to stir and so we need that we need the accountability weed honesty and a lot of times when you when you have these high profile pastors are Christian leaders falling into sin. There's just none of that. And many times they don't want it and that should be the first red flag you're listening to core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. By the way, we should mention that some of the radio stations that air our program.

Aaron on a delayed basis. So if you want to actually call and talk to Pastor Israel live in the studio with your question. You need to do it at this time. 11:30 AM Pacific time, which translates into a 1230 in the mountain zone 130 Central or 230 Eastern during that half hour.

You can actually call in the studio.

Otherwise just leave a voicemail message and hopefully we can use your voicemail on the ear go to David in Sioux City, Iowa David, what's your question for pastor. Israel was wondering, I know that when the rapture happens we receive our glorified body, but I was just curious when I believe in a pre-tribulation that I know is that an opinion I was just wondering when that tribulation saints when they passed and I when do they receive their glorified body because I know Jesus comes back at the end of the tribulation and the second coming with all the yeah this is a complex question David because as you noted, there are there are a number of different views on the end times and note the question here is, when do we receive that that glorified body from the Lord will Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 15 verse 50.

I tell you this, brothers, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery.

We shall not all sleep, we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. Not here, Paul is talking about the resurrection of the dead for this perishable body must put on the imperishable. In this mortal body must put on immortality and when the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. Oh death where is your victory. Oh death where is your sting and so Paul seems to suggest there that this does glorified body is something we receive at the second coming at the last day, not II think Mike my position is that this is all happening at the same time so Christ comes in the second coming of the resurrection of the dead and then entering into the eternal state. Now there are others who have a different timeline there. Some people say you know there's there's a sort of rapture. First, where believers are taken up into heaven, and there transformed there and then you have this that the second that the second second coming. You will later on after a period of great tribulation. The main thing to focus on the David is that one and with all of you. Here's here's the key. We believe that Jesus Christ is coming back bodily and we agree on the fact that we need to be prepared as Christians for the return of Christ, and we agree on the fact that when the Lord returns he will. Paul says here and in first Corinthians chapter 15. At that point, the second coming. At that point we are going to be raised imperishable. The whole context of first printing 15 is really focusing on the resurrection of the dead. If you want to go deeper thinking about the these sort of topics, especially brew related to the end times 11 just plug our Revelation Bible study that we've been offering to be was a wonderful resource to help you dig into the book of Revelation and and in particular thinking more about these questions, a question of the second coming, the question of the rapture. I think that this resource will be really helpful for you David to maybe stay on the line we can get this in your hands will send you one of those David and if you're interested in that particular study. It's fascinating and you can find it by going to core Christianity.com/Revelation it's our Revelation Bible study.

By the way, we also want to tell you about very wonderful new book that Israel recently read and he's highly recommending to folks to help them grow into really good understanding of how much God loves and values us yet again. Arlyn's book gentle and lowly � when it just really quickly, Bill Rita, a short passage from this book is really just a really encouraging book for the Christian life that he writes in the one place in the Bible where the son of God pulls back the veil and let's a spear way down into the core of who he is. We are not told that he is austere and demanding in heart. We are not told that he is exalted and dignified in heart. We are not even told that he is joyful and generous generous in heart, letting Jesus set the terms his surprising claim is that he is gentle and lowly in heart, he's commenting there on Matthew 1128 to 30, and men growing our understanding of who Jesus is in the heart of Christ to be so important for us and so get a hold of this resource gentle and lowly were offering it for limited time. All you have to do is make a donation of any amount@corechristianity.com/offers again core Christianity.com/offers for that book gentle and lowly.

You can also call us for that resource or any one of our resources at 833-843-2673 and number 833. The core let's go to a voicemail that we received from one of our listeners named Roslyn I'm trying to get discernment on that concurrent and can versus five and six. The latter part of the first talk about punishing all disobedience to monitor get clarification on that and appreciate your response. Raza, let's let's check out the context little bit here so second Corinthians chapter 10 beginning in verse three for though we walk in the flesh.

We are not waging war. According to the flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ being ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete. What does the apostle Paul mean there when you talking about punishing disobedience, will he certainly not saying you know we need to punish ourselves when we sin that kind of sort of self-flagellation think he's highlighting the fact that he's coming and he's addressing false teaching that's creeping into the church imagery picture Paul almost like Jesus River.

When Jesus cleansed the temple and dad.

He's he flipping over tables in the temple he's he's purifying it because the worship had been corrupted. Will Paul wants the church to be pure and false teaching heresy, especially note false teaching about Jesus the son of God that corrupts the purity of the church, the purity of the gospel and and Paul is ready to punish that how well by casting it out by preaching the truth and I think the context of second Corinthians helps to confirm this action. The very next chapter, Paul warns the Corinthians he says in in chapter 11 verse four for if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept the different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. He is concern here is that they buy into false teaching. He doesn't want that and and I don't want For the church today and so we have to hold fast to the word of God. You have there been a number of of theologians and pastors throughout the history of the church, you who have mentioned the idea of you know it, Bible teachers, ministers of the gospel really need to have two voices one voice, the gentle voice for gathering the sheep in.

But another voice, a stern voice for casting out the wolves for scattering the wolves is so important. Paul had those two voices in a he's gracious to the Corinthians. But when when people are trying to corrupt the gospel or lead others astray. Paul says I'm ready to punish that disobedience meant to go to Hertz this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

Here's the number to call if you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. It's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to Carrie in Wichita Kansas carry what your question for pastor.

Israel will say here, but the question is paranoid, frantic finale for 17 years now and I'm just wondering because I prayed and prayed for God to heal his mind and medication doesn't work and I'm wondering not if it's a demonic thing is he talks to multiple voices and are not night and I'm wondering if it is like at that. I Carrie will thank you for for your questions. Such a complex issue and and and Bill.

I would love for you to chime in here because I know you, you've done a lot of work with with mental health and and have wisdom in in this area, but I think a lot of times 11 concern that I have is it too often we just go there to the that this is a demonic thing and we don't realize the importance of understanding mental health so I don't know that I would.

I would go there necessarily I think that I think that you pray you love your son, you teach your son or you about the, the, the truth of God's word. I'm you show patience. One resource I think that can be really helpful for you. Carrie written actually by by someone who I know it's called broken pieces in the God who mends them schizophrenia through a mother's eyes written by Simmon at a car broken pieces in the God who mends them. I think you should get a hold of that book because it talks a lot about the complexity of these issues and in particular from from a mother's perspective. Caring for a son who who has schizophrenia and so I don't think that you should that you should be concerned with her or feel like a this must be a demonic thing know as a result of the fall sister. We we live in this broken world and our bodies are broken and even our minds can be broken and so we seek wisdom we seek help. We seek the best that that medical prep professionals have to offer. But even there you know it. It's not perfect, and so we continue to pray with patients and to look to the Lord and to trust in him and Bill.

I do know if you have anything to add there as well know it can be confusing at times and drill because sometimes schizophrenia in certain forms can look like demonic oppression, and we know that demonic oppression can occur can occur to people and perhaps at times Satan takes a vulnerable person and and then place on that. However, what I would say to Carrie is she's mentioned the medication doesn't work out.

There were some new medications that have been developed in recent years, and if they been going to the same psychiatrist or same doctor all along. It's possible that they need a second opinion. They might want to find someone who maybe has a different perspective want to try different med to help this young man and of course asking for her churches prayer local. She said she's been praying for him for years I know how frustrating it that must be to feel like my prayers are not being answered so I would say, you know, go to the. The physician route 1st and maybe try another option see if that's effective, and then just continue to pray and love your son when and again we know this is an easy yeah and and Carrie just with regard to that that part in a praying, knowing that Jesus when he came to earth bound the strong man that is he he cast Satan out.

He he has all power over the evil one.

I recognize it in the situation you feel absolutely powerless but continue to go to the Lord and to trust in him and to trust that he loves you that he loves your son that he's able to work in and through these circumstances.

As you continue to draw near to him and so sister let� Pray for for Carrie right now and ask for God's grace and God strength for her heavenly father we pray for our dear sister Carrie. We pray for her son. We ask Lord, that you would give her wisdom that you would fill her with with grace, Lord, and a sense of your presence in this situation.

Lord, a sense of your love for her and for her son.

We do pray for healing Lord for wisdom. Even for doctors, Lord, so that there could be progress with with her son's condition and we ask Lord Jesus that you would give her the confidence that by faith. She is in you that the one who is in her is greater then the one who is in the world as you is you say gracious God in your word that the evil one cannot touch us. Now that we know that that doesn't mean that we don't suffer oppression but that he can't take us away from you and from your hand and that she is in your hand Lord.

So would you please comfort her and be with her and bless her, by the grace of your Holy Spirit. We asked gracious God in Jesus name, amen and amen this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

We received an email from Angie who says this drill. I'm a born-again Christian I have in the past asked Mormon friends to pray for me or others that are on my heart. I don't believe LDS scriptures are from God or that he believes in the triune God, but my Mormon friend believes he is praying to God. Where do his prayers go with. They just be powerless. Oh, we know that God hears everything right and even even for people who don't fully understand the truth of God's word fully understand the gospel. God even hears them. Even those sincere prayers now where do I get this idea I think of Cornelius in the book of acts. For example, he didn't really understand the gospel, but he was he was seeking the Lord and his prayers, rose up to God and God actually sent someone to preach the gospel to him. I also know that there are some people who are completely deluded.

They are deceived and they think they're praying to God. No making offerings to God. What Paul says in in first Corinthian. Some people make offerings even to demons and when we reject the core truth of the Christian faith.

When we when we embrace as Paul mentioned in second Corinthians is a verse that I read it just a little bit ago. Second Corinthians chapter 11 versus one follow it when we embrace another Jesus, a false Jesus. Well that's that's terrible that's that's were not actually praying to the true and to the living God. And so I think what you can do is talk about these things with your friend and say look, here's the God of the Bible. Here's the God that you should pray to in the God that you should pray to reveal to us in Scripture is different than the God of Mormonism and as you have those conversations you share the love and grace of Jesus with your friend. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us.

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