I Corinthians 5 - Immorality Defiles the Church

 

I Corinthians 5 – Immorality Defiles the Church

 

When Paul urged the Corinthian believers “not to keep company with sexually immoral people,” he was referring to sinning fellow believers. Believers should avoid immoral people who continue in their sin and yet claim to be Christians. Some believers attempt to rationalize sinful behavior, but when they do so they dishonor Christ who died for their sins. Sexual sin in the church must never be rationalized. Condoning such behavior harms the church’s reputation and damages its witness.

Paul told the Corinthians that they should mourn and grieve over the wretched person who parades as a Christian and corrupts the church and damages the cause of Christ. Paul said that person should be removed from their presence. Paul was very angry about this and about the complacency of the church who did not take this matter seriously. Even though Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter, he spoke as sternly to them as if he were in their presence. It is important to know that this disciplinary measure of being excluded from the church, has a basic and ultimate goal, the salvation or preservation of the individual. When the person is excluded he takes the memory of Christ with him, of the gospel and of the church. Hopefully, his memory will help him succeed in repenting and coming back to Christ. To be excluded should not be used as a punishment but for the everlasting welfare of the individual and the protection of the church. The Corinthians misunderstood what Paul was telling them and said that they would have to leave this world if they were to stay away from immoral people. That is a fact since there is more immorality in this world than there is morality, but Paul clarified himself by saying this applies only to our brethren who profess to be Christians but live in an immoral lifestyle. We of the church, should be in tune with the times but in touch with eternity and with a Holy God.

 

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