April 14, 2010 (1 Corinthians 5-11)

This reading was a tough one. Just Monday night I went to a "Community Discussion on Homosexuality", where the panel was comprised of six members - all still dealing with the issue of homosexuality. Some were in committed homosexual relationships, so were in committed heterosexual relationships and some were single. But all professed a faith in Christ and were comfortable in their faith and their sexual orientation. I came away from that feeling 'happy' for them, but still a little confused. And now with my reading this morning I am even more confused. Paul was addressing the church in which there was a man who was living with his father's wife. And I got the impression that they were a 'welcoming church'. But Paul got on their case and demanded that they cast the man out of the church, using the analogy of yeast and saying that if you allow even one person to go on sinning, all will be affected. Then he said this:

^5:9 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.”

I think there was more 'purity' in the church in the old days. And because we don't know people's hearts, I really don't know how we can judge anyone. This is one of those controversial passages. In Corinthians Paul tells us not only that we are not to judge each other, but he even has a hard time judging himself and leaves that up to God. But then he goes on to say this:

8:1But while knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church. ² Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. ³ But the person who loves God is the one whom God knows and cares for.

So, I think that is where the changes have come in today. We are so concerned with loving others and not condemning that we may be going in the opposite direction. I guess there is to be a 'happy balance'. Me, I'd rather exhibit love and let God deal with the rest.