“HE IS TO BE
ACCURSED”
EXPLANATION
- “He is to be accursed” is the translation of the Greek 'anathema.'
- 'Anathema' means 'to be accursed' or 'to be devoted to destruction' and carries with it the idea of separation.
ILLUSTRATION
- In the synagogues the process of excommunicating a member consisted of three stages.
- Stage one was to separate the offender for thirty days, with the intent that he or she would repent.
- Stage two was to separate the offender for another lengthy period, warning him more harshly of the severe consequence for non-compliance.
- As in stage one, the intent was to induce repentance.
- Stage three was 'anathema'.
- All hope for repentance and reconciliation was cut off and the offender was treated as if he or she was never Jewish.
- Synagogue members were to shun the defiant person.
- Today we have something similar called 'church discipline.'
- Church discipline is a process of removing from voting membership and/or relational fellowship a Christian who refuses to be governed by a biblical standard of what to believe and how to live.
- The removed person is to be shunned entirely by everyone in the Christian community.
- While that sounds harsh to most listeners, remember that the intent is not to be cruel but to induce repentance and facilitate restoration.
APPLICATION
- “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14)
- Pursue being right with people and pursue being right with Jesus.
- How carefully and seriously do you live for Jesus?
- Are you so caught up in grace that you have eliminated the pursuit factor?
- To pursue means there is a possibility you can fall behind if you don't act.
- To pursue means you need to move; you can't sit at the starting line, relaxing in your chaise lounge.
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