Devotion for Friday, December 3, 2021

“Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme” (1 Timothy 1:20).

The church seldom does it these days because it is not nice.  But we are not called to be nice.  Letting a trouble-maker — those who seek trouble, seek for themselves, wanting what is right in their mind — go may be unpleasant, but we are to seek what is right in the Lord’s eyes.  All we do should be for the sake of the salvation of our neighbor.  So, Paul instructs Timothy that he is to let go of those who blaspheme the Lord.  This is a critical matter that the church often ignores.

Lord, You have said I am blessed when I am kind, but help me to never confuse that with being nice.  Who needs nice?  Help me to be genuine in caring, considerate of other’s situations, and willing to do what You ask me to do for the sake of my neighbor.  Lead me, Lord, to have genuine and real righteousness that comes only from You.  Let me not learn the hard way but learn by following You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save us and will let nothing stop us in the way of our salvation.  Lead me Lord in the way You know I need to go.  Guide me according to Your goodness so that I would now and always humbly abide in You and You in me.  Teach me righteousness and keep me from blaspheming.  In You alone is there hope and my hope is that You will perfect me in faith.  Amen.