1 Corinthians 5:9-11
I think this portion of scripture often gets misunderstood. Paul writes to the church in Corinth, warning them not to associate with those who are caught up in sexual immorality. He takes it a step further by saying I am not talking about those who live in the world; he is talking about those who claim to be a Christian but are living in open sin. As believers, we must be able to separate the two groups. While both are living in sin, both are wrong for doing it. How can we expect those who are lost to live as if they are believers? Of course, the answer is we can't expect that from them, but we can confront them in love, while sharing the Gospel, in hopes that they will turn away and give their life to Christ. The BIG and hard NO comes to us associating with fellow believers who are living in sexual immorality. Paul tells the church not to even eat with them! While I know some of you are thinking this is harsh, let's be honest, we can't live for the world and Christ at the same time.
The world tends to look at Christians as judgmental, people who just want to take down other people. However, as believers, we know that should not be the case. We are called to love the lost, in hopes that they will give their life. As believers, we are also called to hold each other accountable, which means there is going to be a time when we need to call out sin. This is what Paul wants the church to truly understand! Let us hold each other accountable. As believers, we know that sexual immorality is a BIG NO-NO! We must not associate with those who are committing these sins; now, this doesn't mean we forget about them forever. We are to pray that they repent and commit their lives back to Christ. In that moment, we can then welcome them back in, but the Hard No’s remain a Hard No.
I think this portion of scripture often gets misunderstood. Paul writes to the church in Corinth, warning them not to associate with those who are caught up in sexual immorality. He takes it a step further by saying I am not talking about those who live in the world; he is talking about those who claim to be a Christian but are living in open sin. As believers, we must be able to separate the two groups. While both are living in sin, both are wrong for doing it. How can we expect those who are lost to live as if they are believers? Of course, the answer is we can't expect that from them, but we can confront them in love, while sharing the Gospel, in hopes that they will turn away and give their life to Christ. The BIG and hard NO comes to us associating with fellow believers who are living in sexual immorality. Paul tells the church not to even eat with them! While I know some of you are thinking this is harsh, let's be honest, we can't live for the world and Christ at the same time.
The world tends to look at Christians as judgmental, people who just want to take down other people. However, as believers, we know that should not be the case. We are called to love the lost, in hopes that they will give their life. As believers, we are also called to hold each other accountable, which means there is going to be a time when we need to call out sin. This is what Paul wants the church to truly understand! Let us hold each other accountable. As believers, we know that sexual immorality is a BIG NO-NO! We must not associate with those who are committing these sins; now, this doesn't mean we forget about them forever. We are to pray that they repent and commit their lives back to Christ. In that moment, we can then welcome them back in, but the Hard No’s remain a Hard No.
Posted in Devotional