[1 Corinthians 5, Proverbs 5]

H – 1 Corinthians 5:1–2a, “[1] 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. [2] And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn?”

E – Tolerant!

The apostle Paul addressed a case of sexual immorality in the church at Corinth. He did not approve of the immorality, but he was not so astounded that immorality was occurring. His greater dismay was that the church actually took pride in tolerating it.(1)

Wow! What a commentary by Richard Pratt. One must think of the holiness that Christ church is called to. Yet, the world has pushed toleration on humanity. To the point that if you don’t tolerate sexuality confusions and sexual immortality then you are a bigot and deserve to be punished. This has lead to many churches tolerating certain sins for the sake of being real and relevant. It’s also done out of arrogance in a push to be politically and socially “right” (5:2). However, it’s nothing more than a shame and stain on Christ church and His call for holiness. 

This has caused me to really think this morning. 1) Christ met with sinners. He called sinners and ate with sinners. But, He also led sinners to repentance. 2) Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:11 to avoid associating with those that bear the name of brother and yet openly practice sinful behaviors. 

That is a huge difference. We don’t shun ourselves from sinners who are in a need of The Savior. However, we do remove ourselves in association with “called brothers” who are openly in sinful behavior and unwilling to repent (Matthew 18:15-20). We call brothers and sisters to repentance. If there is an unwillingness to repent we should purge association with said person(s) to avoid giving the appearance of approving sin and sinful conduct (5:13). 

This may seem harsh. But, when this is done out of a Spirit of Sincerity, Love, and Truth (5:8) with hope and prayer that the person(s) may come to the genuine saving knowledge of the Lord (5:5). Well, it is right. 

A – Do not be part of defiling the church of Christ. Get the log out of my eye before I lead people to get the speck out of their eye (Matthew 7:5). Repent of any known sin and ask God to reveal sin. Do not be tolerant of sin and avoid giving the appearance or approval of sinful conduct. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving your church. Lord, thank you giving us the opportunity to repent and showing us what it means to be holy as you are holy. Lord, thank you for your steadfast love that endures forever. Thank you for being the God of countless second chances. Lord, help me to lead by word and deed with sincerity and truth. Lord, would you reveal yourself to our church. I pray for great repentance. I pray for a bond of unity and love. I pray you would bind the enemy and our church would be able to discern between your truth and the enemy’s lies. 

In Jesus Name!

(1) –   Richard L. Pratt Jr, I & II Corinthians, vol. 7, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 72.