Focus

Be still and rest in the Lord.

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Read

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

 

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Reflect

The Corinthian Christians were proud, and seemed pleased, to ignore a man’s sins. They, like many in the church today, thought ignoring his sins would be a loving reaction or response, and so either out of ignorance or apathy, they decided to do just that. One author said, “You don’t show “love” to a body by being kind to a cancer.”
Paul was more concerned about the sin of the entire church (especially the leadership), than that of one. However, the sins of one in the body of Christ can corrupt the entire body of Christ. Leaders must purge that which ruins the health of all. Not with cruel methods that are akin to those of the world, but with the love of God which is unconditional and filled with grace, as the sinner is corrected and restored, if he or she so desires. If not, the relationship should be severed so that others do not sin, nor join in the sin of another. This firm but righteous, genuine and truthful, approach must begin with, and among, leaders.

ASK OURSELVES
Do we understand that the active (unrepented) sin of one can cause many to fall into sin and become unhealthy in the body of Christ? Do we understand that if we overlook the active sin(s) of one, we must do the same for all actively sinful individuals? Do we understand that churches become sick, diseased, and die from the seed of one intentional allowance of the very thing(s) that curse God, selves, and others?

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Pray

Dear God, we often allow ourselves to become misguided, making up rules and procedures as we go along, instead to relying upon your Word, your commands, in how we conduct your business and govern ourselves. May we return to you for your wisdom and commands, in the mighty, matchless name of Jesus the Christ, amen.

Go with God!