Scripture:
I Corinthians 5:9-13 NKJV
[9] I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. [10] Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. [11] But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. [12] For what have I to do with judging those who are also outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? [13] But those who are outside God judge. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”
Observation:
This seems to be something that no one wants to touch. You don’t hear many sermons on it, and honestly, I have read over it a lot. But this morning, it jumped out at me. The church in Corinth was full of misconduct and sexual immorality. I can only imagine Paul’s face when he got wind of it. I can see him with his head in his hands, shaking it back and forth. Pleading with the LORD that HE would have mercy on them. Anxious to pay them a visit so he could explain and show how to live for christ. Here in the first letter, Paul makes mention of another letter that he had written. It was never found. A lot of bible scholars believe that Paul wrote a total of 4 letters to the church in Corinth. Only 2 of them were found and placed in what we know as the bible. It kind of makes you wonder what the other letters said. But going off of what we have, we can see that Paul’s concern over what was going on inside the church had his attention. In the first verse that was chosen this morning, he begins to draw a clear line between the church and the world. Saying that he has written about “not keeping company with the sexually immoral.” However, in verse 10, he makes that line even more clear by separating the church from the world. He says, and I quote, “Yet I did not mean the sexually immoral people of this world.” Then he goes on to mention a few other sins such as extortioners and idolaters. Knowing that if we had to separate ourselves from them, we would have to leave the world all together, which is going to happen when Jesus comes back. But until then, we are to be in the world, not of the world. Verse 11 seems really harsh to me, but it’s what the bible says, so the last thing I want to do is water it down. Paul’s instructions are not to even eat with someone who calls themselves a follower of christ but lives an immoral lifestyle. He goes over the list in which I do not believe it is a complete list but a list that gives us an idea of what to avoid. This line that Paul is drawing is very stern and clear. Really, what Paul seems to be saying is the problem with the church is there are people in it. What I see here is that Paul is saying that there are 2 ways to look at the bible. One justifies the way you live and the other changes your life. He tells us we are not to judge the world. They are outside the church. However, those inside the church are to have their fruit inspected.
Application:
The number 1 cause of Atheism today is people who say they believe in christ. But deny HIM with their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. I can only imagine the damage I have done to the kingdom. I called myself a follower of christ as I was sitting in a trap house getting high. Yes, at one point in my life, that was me. Homeless and high with “Jesus freak” tattooed on my head. The world wants to see real. They want to see it, not hear it. Although I think that what is said here in these verses is rather harsh, and I’m honestly not sure how to take it. It’s what the bible says, and it can’t be redefined or explained away. The Bible says it. That’s all there is to it. I thank GOD that HE did not give up on me. HIS grace brought me to a point where I knew my life had to change. Really, what I believe is being said here and correct me if I’m wrong is if you call yourself a christ follower, act like one. I know that I am guilty of not doing that. Today, I believe my life has changed due to an encounter with the one who created me. I believe that because of HIS word and taking the time to find out what it says, my life is different. I don’t want sin anymore. I know the abundant life that HE wants for me is so much better than anything my flesh could ever provide. So my question is this so much of the world has influenced the church. The book of Revelation talks about it in the letters to the 7 churches. Are we a lukewarm church? Or are we standing on what the word says. GOD will not start something HE does not finish. I believe that an encounter with Jesus Christ WILL ABSOLUTELY CHANGE YOUR LIFE. It may take time, and you will have to get in HIS word and find out what it says. But if you seek HIM, HE will reveal HIMSELF to you. In the end times, there will be false teachers with ear tickling messages that leave you feeling good about your sin. But the word of GOD is good for correcting and reproving it separates bone from marrow. It is designed to change our lives. There needs to be a clear difference between the world and the church. That’s our job. To live like the word of GOD is true. If we truly do that, our life will be modified to be more like the life of christ. HE is coming back for a glorious church, one without a spot or wrinkle. So my plea for you is this… let the grace of GOD change your life. When the Holy Spirit points out a sin in your life, don’t double down in it. Get rid of it. In the beginning was the word that word is Jesus. HE is found in the pages of GOD’S living word. Let HIM change your life. Turn from your sin. Let others see that it is possible. You do not have to live like that it’s a choice. Free will is what shows our love for GOD choosing what is right and turning from what is evil. Chasing after HIM and living as though what HE said is the truth because it is. What the bible says will happen. There is no room for lip service you are or your not.
Prayer:
Father, I want more of you and less of me. I don’t want my flesh to rule my life. I want your presence in my life to be clearly seen. I do not want to be lukewarm. Plant my feet firmly on your path. I know that you have drawn a line between the world and the church. We are to live in ut but not allow it to live in us. Let what you have spoken today penatrate the hearts of those who read it. Change our lives to fit your path for us. We know you will not start a work in us that you do not finish, and on the day your son comes for us, we will be without spot or wrinkles. We need you to do what only you can do. Shape us to be like Jesus. Our hearts cry for you and you alone. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.