That his spirit may be saved.

1 Corinthians 5:4-5, In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided 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.

Paul was clearly dealing with a person given over to a very public sin, and a church unwilling to deal with the situation. Isn’t it interesting that unlike many today who proclaim that someone’s sin means they are going to Hell, Paul instead shows us that God is in control. He can use the power of evil to destroy fleshly lusts to save someone! How much better it is to keep short accounts, to be close enough to our brothers to give and receive help that it might never come to this stage. And how amazing is His grace, that even with a tragic situation He is in control.

We thank You for Your gift of salvation, for saving us; let us stay close to
You working out our salvation with fear and trembling, that we never lose sight of You!