March 15, 2000
Lesson for March 26
FAMILY BIBLE SERIES:
Sin that is tolerated is sin
that corrupts the church
___1 Corinthians 5:1-6:11
___By Stacy Conner
___First Baptist Church, Muleshoe
___"What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?" (1 Corinthians 4:21). A discussion of our text for this week's lesson would be remiss if we fail to notice the tone for which Paul sets up the discussion.
___In the fifth and sixth chapters of 1 Corinthians, Paul deals with two symptoms of oneproblem.
___The first symptom of the greater problem is the sexual immorality that is prevalent among the Corinthian believers. They have reported to Paul that one member is living with his stepmother or his "father's wife" (5:1). Paul is aghast that they could tolerate this type of behavior among believers in Jesus Christ. This is a type of behavior that they did not tolerate even among the pagans.
___The second symptom of the problem is the conflict among the believers that is manifesting itself in lawsuits. In the resolution of conflict between believers, Paul refers to his Jewish past. Relying upon an ancient background of elders who settled disputes at the city gate, Paul looks to Christians to settle their differences among themselves. They should find a wise person within the faith to judge between right and wrong (6:5).
___Nevertheless, sexual immorality and lawsuits between believers are symptoms of a greater problem among the Corinthian church. The church is tolerant of sin in its midst. Paul is grieved that there would be such a casual attitude toward the very condition for which Christ died. Paul offers strong advice. The believer who is willfully participating in sin should be removed from the fellowship. Paul is advising that any tolerance of sin will corrupt the entire church, just as yeast leavens the entire loaf of bread (5:6). Paul advises that anyone willfully and publically engaged in sin should be confronted so as not to corrupt the congregation.
___Regarding lawsuits, Paul advises that it is a small thing to take an economic loss rather than enter a lawsuit (6:7). Furthermore, it is reprehensible that one would take advantage of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (6:8). Everyone in the church should know wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God (6:9).
___However, life in Christ enables the believer to enjoy a new life. After listing a series of sins (6:9-10), Paul reminds the Corinthians that those are the very traits which once characterized their lives. They were common sinners. Still, because of the saving blood of Jesus Christ, they are now different. They are cleansed and justified before God.
___In a postmodern world where anything goes as long as you do not hurt anyone, our society has an amazing tolerance for sin. Let us learn a hard lesson from the Corinthian church. Sin that is tolerated is a sin that corrupts.
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