First Corinthians 5
Ok. My first thought is, "What was that guy thinking?"
Next, I notice that two ideas that played a prominent role in chapter 4 appear again. First, wisdom. Second, judgment. Paul plays his role as leader through his judgment of a potentialy destructive situation in the Corinthian congregation--a situation brought about by the whole church's embracing of human wisdom over God's wisdom. They thought they were celebrating freedom by doing something cutting edge(by accepting something not even the pagan's considered normal). I can hear them now: "Look at us. We are excercising the freedom of God by being sexual deviants! Now everyone will see us and want to experience the freedom that God brings through Jesus." They were sold on human wisdom and sexual freedom. They forgot that sacrifice was the hallmark of Christianity, not human freedom. In truth, we are free to sacrifice, not free from sacrifice. In addition, their Gospel of Freedom was for the body, not for the Spirit. so Paul comes with judgment (see discussion on Chapter 4) on their Gospel and their failure to understand the wisdom of God in Jesus.
His judgment seems rather extreme, but still warranted. "Hand this man over to Satan": in other words, remove fellowship from him and let him have his freedom without the protection of the support of the church. Also, "expel the wicked man from you": this is a direct allusion to Deuteronomy (17.7, for example) and the commands of God to expel those who are continually rebellious to the wisdom of God as seen in Scripture. This extreme course of action is intended to protect the body of Christ from someone who is not only does not understand Christianity, but who willingly and consistently acts in ways that are contrary to the teachings of that body. I would also submit that this extreme course of action should only be used in extreme situations. Grace, love, and acceptance should be exercised freely in the body. Only when one is unwilling to submit to the body of Christ, and its head, should we turn to such extreme measures.
Paul clarifies his position in this way: For evangelism sake, associate with those in the world who may have lifestyles contrary to God's wisdom. We must be with lost people! However, do not allow one who claims to be a part of the body to still live in that lifestyle. Becoming a brother means that you have adopted a new life, and it needs to show! So, if they want to act like they belong to the world, let them live in the world. We are not strong enough to get through to them. But God is, and he will walk with them in their travels until they return to him.
So, what aspects of our lifestyle may need adjustment as we seek to become more a part of Christ through his body?
Next, I notice that two ideas that played a prominent role in chapter 4 appear again. First, wisdom. Second, judgment. Paul plays his role as leader through his judgment of a potentialy destructive situation in the Corinthian congregation--a situation brought about by the whole church's embracing of human wisdom over God's wisdom. They thought they were celebrating freedom by doing something cutting edge(by accepting something not even the pagan's considered normal). I can hear them now: "Look at us. We are excercising the freedom of God by being sexual deviants! Now everyone will see us and want to experience the freedom that God brings through Jesus." They were sold on human wisdom and sexual freedom. They forgot that sacrifice was the hallmark of Christianity, not human freedom. In truth, we are free to sacrifice, not free from sacrifice. In addition, their Gospel of Freedom was for the body, not for the Spirit. so Paul comes with judgment (see discussion on Chapter 4) on their Gospel and their failure to understand the wisdom of God in Jesus.
His judgment seems rather extreme, but still warranted. "Hand this man over to Satan": in other words, remove fellowship from him and let him have his freedom without the protection of the support of the church. Also, "expel the wicked man from you": this is a direct allusion to Deuteronomy (17.7, for example) and the commands of God to expel those who are continually rebellious to the wisdom of God as seen in Scripture. This extreme course of action is intended to protect the body of Christ from someone who is not only does not understand Christianity, but who willingly and consistently acts in ways that are contrary to the teachings of that body. I would also submit that this extreme course of action should only be used in extreme situations. Grace, love, and acceptance should be exercised freely in the body. Only when one is unwilling to submit to the body of Christ, and its head, should we turn to such extreme measures.
Paul clarifies his position in this way: For evangelism sake, associate with those in the world who may have lifestyles contrary to God's wisdom. We must be with lost people! However, do not allow one who claims to be a part of the body to still live in that lifestyle. Becoming a brother means that you have adopted a new life, and it needs to show! So, if they want to act like they belong to the world, let them live in the world. We are not strong enough to get through to them. But God is, and he will walk with them in their travels until they return to him.
So, what aspects of our lifestyle may need adjustment as we seek to become more a part of Christ through his body?
Labels: church discipline, evangelism, First Corinthians, judgment
posted by Randy Rogers at
9:46 AM
2 Comments:
That first fellow before you once said that the church is not a perfect organization...I am not sure how to judge that statement. When you say 'Only when one is unwilling to submit to the body of Christ, and its head, should we turn to such extreme measures.' do you mean to imply the church as it is incarnated today? In the situation in Corinth apparently the church was far from perfect and one submitting to it may have found himself in a habit unbecoming a Christian. Noting that this church, or this part of that church, did seem to be following the head of some so called demon rather than Christ Jesus. All that to say that sometimes we just need to be very atune to God's still small voice, and some of that attenuation comes from attending church and paying attention inclass and service.
Randy thank you for your good leadership
RFR
RFR,
Thank you for your thoughts. I agree that the only one we truly submit to is Christ. If the church is 1) living in the wisdom (Spirit) of God, and 2) serving Christ, then that church is able to judge appropriately the situation and act accordingly. If our church should teach a doctrine or act in a way that should cause one of these "little ones to stumble," then we are in big trouble.
However, I want to clarify that it is only in the most extreme circumstances that we should turn someone over to Satan, so to speak. Practicing grace and mercy should always be the first impulse of Christ's church , I think. After compassion is exhausted, and hardness of heart has set in, then the church must protect itself from further spread of spiritual cancer.
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