1Corinthians 5:1 ¶ I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you––something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. 2 You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship.
What on earth is happening here?
As a pastor I have discovered deception can masquerade in many forms. Here we find the Corinthian church was deeply decieved. In these last days it should not catch us unaware that we too will encounter people who lack discernment and the courage to deal in the truth with those who practice gross immorality. Let's draw our attention to the man mentioned in this text.
I look at this and I see that the man would likely claim there is no pretending in his life. He is still mingling with others in the church but he has not hidden the sin he is in.
Grace is not about tolernace. It is not true grace to allow such a vile sin to go unchecked in a church body. Here was a man, in a sin, that even the godless pagans would find offensive and yet he still expected to enjoy fellowship with believers in Christ as though he were normal since he was not hiding his sin from anyone.
The church in Corinth was allowing this man to be in charge of their response to his sin by pretending along with him that what he was doing was okay. They were obviously pointing to this situation as the proof of their love because Paul says they are proud of themselves about their acceptance of this man despite his sin.
But we discover their "love" was no love at all in this case. They were deceived in their handling of this man up to this point. If they loved him they must take the difficult stand against what he is doing and they must realize that if they continue in their loving tolerance mindset they are condoning his behavior and it will become a license to others to follow his example.
Can a church grounded in grace actually bring discipline to a member in deep sinful behavior? Absolutely, and it should when appropriate.
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
