“I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 5:5) Let us admit that sincere Christians disagree on the meaning of these words. Some believe that Paul (and the other Apostles) had special powers to inflict disease or death on people who opposed the gospel. (see Acts 5, 13–Ananias and Sapphira and Elymas). Others believe that Paul was expressing the idea of Romans 1. God “gives them over” as an expression of His wrath. He “steps aside” and allows sinners to have what we say we want. The consequences of sin are often lesson enough. Like the prodigal son, the only way that some of us can come home for good is to see what “not home” really is. A painful lesson, but a lesson all the same. Is it God’s love when He lets go of us? Stops pretending? Stops speaking? Refuses to be an enabler?
When God stops speaking – what could be worse? Is it not our inclination to want to go to Jesus for answers? Herod previously had his opportunity to come to Christ and that opportunity passed (Luke 23:8-9).