Paul’s First Letter to
the Corinthians: DAY 7
READ 1 Corinthians 5
& Matthew 7:1-4
In your journal, write
down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to
what God shows you as you feel led.
The first words of this chapter make it clear that,
unless something changes, the church will receive a rod of discipline when Paul
comes (4:21). Here Paul addresses the second major issue in the Corinthian
church: sexual immorality. (The first was the issue of division.) A man has
entered into a relationship with his stepmother, and rather than grieving over
this grave sin and taking steps of discipline, Paul accuses the church of taking
pride in the situation!
In verse 6 Paul reprimands them: “Your boasting is not
good.” The people in the church seemed to have enjoyed the scandal of the
situation. Rather, their hearts should have been broken over the sin, and they
should have disciplined the immoral brother. By casually allowing him to
continue in sin, they were condoning his actions and keeping him from the
repentance that would bring redemption.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1.
Honestly evaluate your heart. What is
your response when you hear that a brother or sister in Christ has stumbled?
Are you genuinely broken over the issue? Do you pray sincerely for their
repentance and restoration? Do you revel in now having a “good story” to share
with your friends? Do you feel elevated, knowing that they have fallen in an
area you do not struggle with? Ask God if you have sinned in your response
towards the moral failings of others, and ask for His forgiveness.
2.
In Matthew 7, Jesus speaks about the
danger of judging others. But here in 1 Corinthians 5 Paul talks about times
when it is necessary to judge fellow believers. What do you think is the
difference between the judgement Jesus is talking about and the judgement Paul
is addressing? Let us always be careful to seek the Lord before passing
judgement on anyone.
3.
Is there a fellow believer you know who
has fallen into sin? Spend some time praying for them today. Ask God that you
would grieve over the issue. And ask Him to show you His heart for the person.
