TOPIC: IMMORALITY MUST BE JUDGED

TOPIC: IMMORALITY MUST BE JUDGED

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?..”

In this passage, Paul deals with immorality in the Corinthian church and the refusal of the leaders to advise and discipline the offender. The exact sin is not clear. However, Paul’s mention of “his father’s wife” may probably mean that the offender was having a sexual affair with his stepmother. Paul was surprised and disappointed that the church would tolerate this kind of immorality. Paul declares that the church, as a holy people, must not allow immorality among its members. He gives three reasons why the church should discipline offending members:

(1) For the good of the offenders (verse 5). Excommunication might make them realize the intensity of their sin and their need for forgiveness and restoration.

(2) For the sake of the purity of the church (verses. 6-8). Tolerating evil within the church will eventually lower the moral standard of all.

(3) For the good of the world (verse 1). The church cannot win people to Christ if it is just like the world.

Today, many churches are tolerant of and silent about immorality among their members. But the Lord commands His church to be holy because He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). The church must remove the immoral person from its fellowship and return him to Satan’s domain where he may encounter problems and suffering. When these things happen to him, he may repent and ultimately be saved. Excommunication also means that the church is getting rid of the old yeast of sinful influence so that God’s people may serve Him in sincerity and truth. Today’s church must follow Paul’s instructions but everything must be done in LOVE.