Finding God in the Mysteries of every day

#2137 Finding God in the Mysteries of every day       

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¹¹ But actually, I wrote to you not to associate ^]with any so-called brother if he is a sexually immoral person, or a greedy person, or an idolater, or is verbally abusive, or habitually drunk, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a person. ¹² For what business of mine is it to judge outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? ¹³ But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the evil person from among yourselves.

            If you have never had to see the angry face of a judge you are blessed. Within the church it would be hoped that such an atmosphere of love and forgiveness would exist that the problem Paul was addressing here in the Corinthian church would not be an issue. Sadly, you and I know that this is not true. I was forced in my senior year  of Bible college to sit in on an exit interview with the senior pastor, the board, and a youth pastor who had, quite flagrantly, engaged in an affair with a married church secretary.

            In my heart I questioned everything about the whole affair. How was it possible? How could the leadership have taken these people on? Was there any path to redemption for these two adulterers? Cold we “cast” stones at them or should we wink and nod and “just let it go”. The pressure was enormous from every side the accusations flew. The immediate result was that over half of the youth group, and their families left that church.

            Paul’s admonition to “clean up the house” and not worry about what the culture was doing outside of the church is still quite timely today. It takes courage to call people to account, however, there is a duty of care for the body of Christ. The infection of sin should be reckoned with in a just and merciful manner.