My take on 1 Corinthians 5
No responses….oh well.
If the Bible is the Living Spoken Word of God….
My first thought of interpreting this is that we should address the issues. You cannot shed the Light into darkness without exposing things hidden (Ps 90:8, Job 12:22, Job 28:11, Daniel 2:22, 1 Cor 4:5). We have to address it with them, discretely but firm.
Ephesians 5:8-14 says,
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Matthew 18:15-17 - confront privately 1st, with 2 - 3 witness 2nd, and bring before the church 3rd. Though this is direct reference is concerning those who sin against you.
James 5:19 & 20,
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
This should be done in humility, compassion, and non judgmental. (2 Tim 2:24 & 25, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 7:3-5, Phil 2:1-11)
2 Thessalonians 3:14 & 15
If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
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We need to determine if they are really a disciple of Christ or someone who claims to be but their speech and actions show differently.
1 John 2:3-6
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Matthew 7:15-20,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
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Bottom line we have to discern if the person we are “cutting out” is actually someone who is striving to grow closer to God but is weaker/younger in the Faith or someone who claims to be of the light but only bears fruit of darkness.
We have to search our hearts to find our motives! Is it to help your brother or sister to grow in Christ or to prove you are right, push law/tradition, to make yourself look holier than you are, to expose their sin and tell them the error of their way with a prideful heart?
We need to use scripture, as is, not tainted with your perceptions/interpretations. You should pray concerning the situation prior to meeting with them. Only the Holy Spirit can convict/change a man and/or woman’s heart! We need to make sure the things we are saying are said by the Holy Spirit. You should be Christ-like, if you wonder what that is read the Gospels. Instruction should be done in Love, with patience and kindness, without envy and boasting, in humility, not self-seeking, slow to anger, keeping no records of wrongs, rejoicing only in Truth, protecting, trusting, hoping, and persevering (1 Cor 13:4-7).
I believe that in our day and age, for the most part the American Church is operating backwards. We stay confined to our four walls and try to have nothing to do with the world because we might be deemed worldly and it would push us outside of our comfort zones, while at the same time the church puts up with men/women who consistently stirs dissension within the church.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says,
There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
I like how a brother in Christ answered this question,
“Pretty straight forward. I think there is a lot of looking the other way in the church today. Verse 13 says: “God decides on the outsiders, but we need to decide when our brothers and sisters are out of line.” I don’t think that is is happening so much today, in fact I think it’s reversed. I think there is a lot of judgmental attitude from the church towards outsiders but a lot of looking the other way toward insiders.”
ANOTHER MAJOR POINT! It is only YOUR responsibility to remove people in and out of your life, it is NOT your responsibility to tell or instruct someone to leave the church or youth group! If you feel that strongly you need to inform the Pastor and/or Youth Pastor of the issue…that is their responsibility! Cutting someone out of our life should not be a joyous occasion, we should yearn, desire to see them saved…you should still pray for them regularly. This does not condone cutting out brothers and sisters weaker in Faith, who the Spirit has not instructed/convicted yet things that you have. You have to be patient with babies in Christ just as we are patient and tolerant of babies of this world…making disciples which is part of the Great Commission(Matthew 28:16-20)! IMO, basically only cutting out the Pharisees and Sadducees of today!
