Devotional Messages

A Response to Sin

The pride of the Corinthian Church as seen in the readings over the past few days is now highlighted with Paul's assertion that they are proud of a certain form of sexual immorality in their Church (v.2). Now it is not exactly clear what form this sexual immorality took: it was most likely not referring to a man having sexual relations with his mother (as it would have said so); but it is not clear whether the woman was his widowed step-mother (and so needing a man to provide for her), or his step-mother and he seduced her, or his step-mother but divorced from his father; it is simply unclear. But it is clear that an illicit union of a particularly unsavoury nature had occurred, as it was of a kind "that does not even occur among the pagans" (v.1).

We must notice from this reading, that the thrust of Paul's message is not to the immoral believer, but to the Church, instructing them on how to handle such a situation. After rebuking them for their pride (again), he tells them that they are to expel the immoral believer, for like a little bit of yeast which works its way through a lot of dough, a sin that is not shown to be wrong will work its way through the church, leading people astray.

At this point we remember that believers aren't perfect; Christians still sin, so where must we draw the line when 'expelling the immoral believer'?

This reminds me of a situation in our church, where we were singing worship songs written by a Christian who, it had just become clear, had disobeyed God in a very obvious way and continued to do so, not willing to seek forgiveness and return to his God-fearing lifestyle. After having a meeting, the members of our church by vote decided to stop singing this man's songs, even though they were very popular and in themselves, glorifying to God.

There were opponents of this decision, who pointed out that all Christians still sin, and forgiveness is at the centre of Christianity. But this is where the example from my church and from the Corinthians match up: the 'immoral believer' in both cases was not seeking forgiveness as they continued unapologetically in their sinful ways, therefore they should not be allowed to continue to influence other believers.

We must also think of the witness to the community. In the example from my church, if a non-believer were to walk in off the street knowing the history of the songwriter and see us singing his songs; how does that glorify God? But how great would be the day, if this songwriter repented and his songs could be accepted back into our church? Imagine then if the non-believer walked in on us singing the songs and enquires as to why we would uphold a fallen man by singing his songs - what a response we could give! What an amazing example of forgiveness we would have to show to this non-believer to help him then to see the place of forgiveness and the power of the saving work of Christ.

So it is a lack of acknowledgement of sin, and the failing to seek forgiveness that "crosses the line". As soon as a believer ignores his or her own sin, or worse: flaunts it, or takes pride in it; that person should be dealt with. We read in Matthew 18:15-17 that in these cases, the erring believer should be approached and offerred help by one fellow Christian, then by a few, and then by the whole (local) church before considering removing (excommunicating) the believer (which may simply involve not allowing them to partake in the Lord's Supper, a sign of unity in the Church).

But it remains that as Christians, we have been told in the Bible of the way God wants us to live, and we have been given His Holy Spirit within us to aid us and to guide us. We must live godly lives, acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness through repentance to God. We cannot afford to overlook sin, for the glory of Christ is supposed to be revealed in us.

Pray now, glorifying God for His salvation, and pray that in your life, and in the life of your church, the name of Christ may be glorified in all that you do.