Most people seek to be blessed by receiving, but blessings are first and foremost found in surrender. It is to the extent that we bring a whole sacrifice to his altar that we will receive a whole blessing—not before (Deut. 33:9-10). The secret of Abraham’s blessing was the condition of his heart, which he expressed in the four words that he spoke to the king of Sodom: “I will not take . . .” By giving it up, he received the blessing. What did God say to the man he wanted to bless? “Go out”—“leave!” He left his homeland, and God gave him his own land. He said to Lot, who did not have enough room for his flocks: “Choose!” And Lot chose the land of plenty. He took advantage of Abraham’s selflessness to bring the advantage to his side. But that same night, God came to Abraham and promised him possession of the land in perpetuity. In relinquishment, he opened new doors of blessing for himself. In great self-denial lie greater blessings. Later God tested Abraham and said: Take . . . Isaac . . . and offer him there as a burnt offering. Abraham did so and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. But did he get back as he had laid him on the altar? Oh, no! He got him back with the most glorious promises. Upon the son who was laid on the altar, God placed the most glorious promises (v. 16-18). God said to the Israelites: No one among you shall eat blood . . . I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls . . . (Leviticus 17). Israel, who gave the blood upon the altar instead of consuming as the other nations did, gave it to God as a propitiation. They attained the blessing through surrender.(From German via Norwegian.)

“For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person.” 1 Cor. 5:12-13. When true light shines, it brings judgment. Even believers usually beg to be spared this judgment, and thus they exempt themselves from receiving greater light. This is to their own detriment. When the judgment of the light touches areas of your life where you are not walking according to what you know, then you are without excuse, and drawing back from this judgment will cause you to fall away. The church is the place on earth where God’s judgment is given to the believers. Not only do we have the right to judge “inside the church,” but we are obligated to do so. “I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?” 1 Cor. 6:5. People often say, “God is my judge; I will not be judged by any man.” Just the fact that they feel judged, and that they acknowledge they were judged, is clear evidence that light has shone in an area that they would prefer had remained in darkness. Simon (the sorcerer) tried to join God’s people, and he offered money for the power to impart the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. But what did Peter answer him? “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.” Acts 8:20-21. Peter would never have said these words to Simon if Simon had not tried to come “inside.” He could have continued with his sorcery “outside”; Peter would never have condemned him for that. But when he wanted to bring his impurity into the sanctuary, Peter spoke these sharp and damning words. In the church—within—everything must be pure; the lies of Ananias and Sapphira are not tolerated there. Outside are dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. God has put such people outside, and if any of them come inside, we have a right and an obligation to put them outside immediately. This is not their judgment; God will judge those who are outside. However, as ungodly people, they must not be allowed to remain in the congregation of the righteous.Johan O. Smith