Tag: 1 Corinthians 5
Righteous judgment
Scripture reading for July 11th: 1 Corinthians 5
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit, and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the Name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
Following Paul’s instructions not to judge church members for their ministry and faithfulness, (1 Corinthians 4:5) Paul gives instruction to those leading the Corinthian church concerning a church member involved in gross sexual sin. This person, if allowed to continue in the church, would cause harm to the church and the cause of the Gospel. The person, if not dealt with, would become comfortable living in sin and could lose his salvation through blasphemy of the Spirit. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for being arrogant instead of mourning over this person and seeking repentance and a return to godly truth.
Paul, who had planted this church, told them what he would do if present. He would have ascertained the truth about the charge that this man was living with his father’s wife and confronted him. (Matthew 18:15-20) If true and he would not repent, he would have put the man out of the church. In doing so, this would deliver him over to Satan. In Satan’s realm, destruction of his flesh would result. The prayer of the mourning church for this man was that in the end, he would be saved before the final ‘Day of the Lord’ when Jesus would judge all by truth. This was Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ teaching on dealing with sin or offense.
Do you think there is a tolerance for gross immorality in our culture today? Are these principles of dealing with sexual sin being applied in the church? How does this teaching change your world view concerning dealing with sexual sin in your life and the church?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for speaking clearly concerning the responsibility of church leadership to confront gross sexual sins. Help Your church today to apply these principles and not compromise with our culture. Give us hearts that mourn over sins and desire all to be saved and included Christ’s kingdom. Amen.