Scripture

Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed, you were made holy, you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.

Observation

Paul is shocked by the Corinthian christians who take their disputes with one another to the secular courts. They should take them to other believers to adjudicate.

We believers will judge the world, and even judge angels. Surely there must be someone in the church who can settle mundane arguments.

Those who do wrong will not enter the Kingdom of God. Adulterers, homosexuals, idolaters and thieves will not inherit God’s kingdom. Some of us were once like that, but we have been cleansed, sanctified and made right with God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Application

We were once the outsiders, living lives that were displeasing to the Lord. But we called on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and He set us free from the bondage of sin.

We were cleansed. The blood of Jesus washed away our sin. The mark of iniquity was washed away.

We were made holy. That means that we were given the ability to live a life of righteousness. It also means that we have been set apart for God’s use. I am no longer my own master; I belong to the Lord.

We have been made right with God. The enmity that existed between us and God has been destroyed. We were once far away from God, but by His free gift, we are now His friends.

Prayer

Hallelujah! What a great salvation you have given to me. Thank you Lord. Amen.

Scripture

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 worship idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

Observation

Paul had previously warned the Corinthians not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. He clarifies now that this was not about avoiding unbelievers who sin, but about those who claim to be believers but who continue to sin sexually, or are greedy, worship idols, are abusive, drink too much or cheat people.

It isn’t our responsibility to judge outsiders. God will do that. However, it is our responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. We must remove them from fellowship.

Application

We expect sinners to sin. It is the nature of sinners that they will sin. We would have to leave the world altogether to remain separate from such people. But, on the contrary, we should go out of our way to befriend people in order to lead them to Christ.

However, there is a special hardness of heart required to claim to be a follower of Christ, but still live in the old fleshly lifestyle of self- centred sin.

If a person is sinning regularly and consistently, then they are not following the way of Jesus and should not be a part of the fellowship.

There needs to be a process of discipline in the church whereby those who are living in a way that dishonours Christ are firstly shown the right way to live, but if this fails, they are excluded from the church.

This is hard, and needs to be done gently and with sensitivity. The aim must always be to restore to faith a person who has fallen.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that your love never fails. Even when we sin, you still love us. Please help me to live a life of holy dedication to you. Amen.