Tuesday, February 07, 2006
February 8th 1 Corinthians 5
Go ahead and look first at 1 Corinthians 4 . See how God speaks to you individually. Then come back, if you wish, and see what God has put in my mind/heart.
Key Verse(s): 1 Corinthians 5:12
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
Title: Appropriate Judgmentalness
Observation: The Apostle Paul is writing about a man who is involved with sexual sin that the church knows about and allows that individual to continue and bring the church into disrepute. Even the surrounding culture looks down on this relationship. But those in the church know that this is wrong and refuse to do anything about it.
Biblically, sexual ethics are always clear (man and woman in the context of marriage) in the abstract and more difficult in practice to hold up. First, many, many of church members have children conceived outside of marriage, and we do not want them to feel shame or guilt for their parent’s decisions. We also have the problem that most of our members are former (or current!) breakers of this rule. Thirdly, we want to be compassionate toward those who have a predisposition to homosexual practice or because of poverty (especially government healthcare benefits) have chosen to continue in sexual sin.
Yet, despite the fact that “them is me” in regards to sexual immorality, we are called to a higher standard as Christians. We are also called to judge other Christians. Not non-Christians who we it is easy to attack with impunity. We must be separate, distinct from the culture around us, so that others might be attracted to our communal lifestyle. It was Justin Martyr who said in the second A.D. that Christians were peculiar people, “who shared everything in common except our wives” which was the exact opposite of the culture in which they were immersed. So we together have to set a high standard, be compassionate and loving and firm, and enforce among our membership (not those seeking, not those outside the faith) sexual integrity.
Application: I must have compassion on those who are stuck in sexual sin. I must show love and patience, and not become dragged into their sin. I need to stay away from inappropriate lustful thoughts. And I must lead our congregation toward living a life that causes admiration from the community around us.
Prayer: Lord God help me to control my thoughts and actions. Allow me to be patient and loving toward those stuck in this sin and keep me safe from those who try to ensnare me, especially me. Lord, help me to be faithful to Lori, in all senses, and be a model of sexual integrity.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Key Verse(s): 1 Corinthians 5:12
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
Title: Appropriate Judgmentalness
Observation: The Apostle Paul is writing about a man who is involved with sexual sin that the church knows about and allows that individual to continue and bring the church into disrepute. Even the surrounding culture looks down on this relationship. But those in the church know that this is wrong and refuse to do anything about it.
Biblically, sexual ethics are always clear (man and woman in the context of marriage) in the abstract and more difficult in practice to hold up. First, many, many of church members have children conceived outside of marriage, and we do not want them to feel shame or guilt for their parent’s decisions. We also have the problem that most of our members are former (or current!) breakers of this rule. Thirdly, we want to be compassionate toward those who have a predisposition to homosexual practice or because of poverty (especially government healthcare benefits) have chosen to continue in sexual sin.
Yet, despite the fact that “them is me” in regards to sexual immorality, we are called to a higher standard as Christians. We are also called to judge other Christians. Not non-Christians who we it is easy to attack with impunity. We must be separate, distinct from the culture around us, so that others might be attracted to our communal lifestyle. It was Justin Martyr who said in the second A.D. that Christians were peculiar people, “who shared everything in common except our wives” which was the exact opposite of the culture in which they were immersed. So we together have to set a high standard, be compassionate and loving and firm, and enforce among our membership (not those seeking, not those outside the faith) sexual integrity.
Application: I must have compassion on those who are stuck in sexual sin. I must show love and patience, and not become dragged into their sin. I need to stay away from inappropriate lustful thoughts. And I must lead our congregation toward living a life that causes admiration from the community around us.
Prayer: Lord God help me to control my thoughts and actions. Allow me to be patient and loving toward those stuck in this sin and keep me safe from those who try to ensnare me, especially me. Lord, help me to be faithful to Lori, in all senses, and be a model of sexual integrity.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
