9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”
Terrie's Comments:
Believers are the ones that are held to God's standards. We are not to hold the world around us to the standards that God has laid out for those who believe in Jesus Christ. It is laid out in other places within scripture how to go about dealing with such sin as is mentioned in this passage. It isn't a one time and you are out kinda deal.
I am drawn to the word "indulge"... I have a tendency to indulge in chocolate. It is irresistible to me. I like it more than a little bit. I have to discipline myself to remember to share chocolate when I have it. I would skip meals if I could to replace them with chocolate.
When Paul is saying that people who "indulge" in these behaviors it is those who are taking part in these behaviors as a regular part of their lives. They enjoy sin more than they enjoy the truth of God's word. They are those who when you bring up the truth they tend to scoff at it or make excuses rather than coming under conviction and choosing to change their behavior because they value God more than they value whatever sin they are indulging in at the time. They are the ones that will erode other believers because their truth is diluted.
Tori's Comments:
So, I guess this is building off what I was thinking about yesterday, and the balance of mercy and grace.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please keep all comments respectful. We want to remember that each of us is at a different place in our walk with God. This is a place for us to share openly about what has been revealed to us as we open up Gods word and to learn from others. Please take every opportunity possible to build each other up in love :-)