1 Corinthians 5:12-13
Sadly, the line between culture and church has become blurred. The church has somehow taken on the responsibility of trying to adapt culture into the church…which is the exact opposite of how things should be. What has happened is that churches (and entire denominations) have become afraid to speak out against what is clearly unbiblical behavior, trying to justify it by taking Scripture either out of context or offering their own stilted interpretation of it. Those who hold a firm line against unacceptable (meaning antibiblical) behavior are viewed as judgmental. It is our natural inclination to bristle when we are confronted with callouts against our behavior. Judgment is biblical, but it is reserved for the believer. Meaning, we are called to judge errant behavior among other believers. Those who profess Christ. In these two verses, Paul is telling the church at Corinth that who is he…and who are we…to judge those who are not professing Christians. We can’t expect them to understand the Biblical standard when they don’t live under Biblical rule. Does it excuse their behavior? Absolutely not. But their judgment is a future judgment. God’s judgement, not ours. We are called to look within the church. And when we judge those fellow believers who are living outside of what is a Biblical standard, it is done out of love for the sake of their restoration and for the protection of the church. There are already enough “wolves at the gate” who seek to tear the church down. And the way to do that is to cause division. To blur the lines between the true Gospel and the social gospel. To attack its foundations. We’ve seen that over the centuries. Discount creation and undercut the divine nature of God. Man goes from being God-breathed to an evolutionary goo. From standards of how to live life in a way honoring to the One who gives it, to everything is relative, and if it feels good, do it. The church must remain strong against the culture clash. Judging those who lead the attack against Christ will face their judgment day. In the meantime, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we must regard one another and hold each other not to our standard, but God’s. To judge (call out) behavior within the church that would serve to harm or discredit the church. That is our strength. For if God is for us, who can be against us.
Sadly, the line between culture and church has become blurred. The church has somehow taken on the responsibility of trying to adapt culture into the church…which is the exact opposite of how things should be. What has happened is that churches (and entire denominations) have become afraid to speak out against what is clearly unbiblical behavior, trying to justify it by taking Scripture either out of context or offering their own stilted interpretation of it. Those who hold a firm line against unacceptable (meaning antibiblical) behavior are viewed as judgmental. It is our natural inclination to bristle when we are confronted with callouts against our behavior. Judgment is biblical, but it is reserved for the believer. Meaning, we are called to judge errant behavior among other believers. Those who profess Christ. In these two verses, Paul is telling the church at Corinth that who is he…and who are we…to judge those who are not professing Christians. We can’t expect them to understand the Biblical standard when they don’t live under Biblical rule. Does it excuse their behavior? Absolutely not. But their judgment is a future judgment. God’s judgement, not ours. We are called to look within the church. And when we judge those fellow believers who are living outside of what is a Biblical standard, it is done out of love for the sake of their restoration and for the protection of the church. There are already enough “wolves at the gate” who seek to tear the church down. And the way to do that is to cause division. To blur the lines between the true Gospel and the social gospel. To attack its foundations. We’ve seen that over the centuries. Discount creation and undercut the divine nature of God. Man goes from being God-breathed to an evolutionary goo. From standards of how to live life in a way honoring to the One who gives it, to everything is relative, and if it feels good, do it. The church must remain strong against the culture clash. Judging those who lead the attack against Christ will face their judgment day. In the meantime, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we must regard one another and hold each other not to our standard, but God’s. To judge (call out) behavior within the church that would serve to harm or discredit the church. That is our strength. For if God is for us, who can be against us.
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