1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Sinner and Proud of It

We all sin. There is no question about that. In fact, 1 John 1:8 says that we claim to be without sin the truth is not in us. That settles it. We all sin. The question isn’t whether or not we sin but what we do about it. What we are supposed to do is confess our sin and take another stab at trying to straighten up and fly right. What we aren’t supposed to do is flaunt our sin as if it were no big deal.

I believe we are saved by grace. I believe that there is no sin so grievous that it will not be forgiven if we will only ask. I believe that God loves us even when we sin. I love my children even when they mess up, but it brings me no joy to see them continue to mess up over and over. And it certainly would bring me no joy to see them decide that it was perfectly OK to keep messing up because I would love them anyway. Duh.

This guy apparently was being intimate with his stepmother. We don’t know the ages of the parties involved. We don’t know if his father was still alive. It really doesn’t matter because this just really isn’t cool in any case. Apparently the Corinthians were actually quite proud of the fact that they had a guy sleeping with his stepmom in their church. The fact that they were proud of what he was doing was a bigger problem than what he was doing. 

Paul tells them to put this man out of the fellowship for two reasons. The first reason is for the man’s benefit. If he doesn’t realize that he is doing wrong he won’t have any motivation to repent and get on track. The second reason is for the benefit of the congregation, because others will follow his example if they don’t.

Our church is filled with sinners. I’m one of them. The difference is that we don’t want to be walking in sin. I have great patience with an honest sinner who, even when they mess up a lot, keeps trying. I even have compassion for the one who has all but given up but is nevertheless holding on to God’s mercy. The line has to be drawn at the point where our sin becomes a banner under which we March in defiance of God’s law and even in defiance of His mercy. 

By the way, if you want to read ahead in 2 Corinthians you will find that Paul’s advice worked.