I Corinthians 5:9–13

 I Corinthians 5:9–13

It is hard not to view the irony of this passage in view of most churches today. It seems that the very thing Paul commands is the very thing, which we as contemporary conservative Christians all want to avoid. And that which Paul commands, most liberal Christians reject. In short, Paul commands that the church dis-fellowship or excommunicate the supposed brother consistently living in sin while engaging socially with the nonbeliever regardless of their vice.

We have that upside down in many churches. Behaviors that ought not to be tolerated are. However, when some sins are practiced by fellow church members, these behaviors are ignored or winked at in the name of grace, personality, or some other excuse. The tolerance of this unholy behavior hurts the church's witness and, worse, supports the spread of the wickedness within the church. Churches that have protected and coddled from this sort of behavior tend to go from being strong and effective to dead. They are legion.

At the same time, many churches are scandalized if a member befriends or keeps company with notorious sinners from outside of the church. The church, wanting to protect itself from sinners that are “out there,” retreats into a busy schedule with all the entertainment in the context of a Christian subculture. Bad sinners are kept at arm's reach, while nice, or not-so-bad sinners are permitted to join if they aren’t too wicked and are willing to make the effort to join.

Salt is of no use in the saltshaker and must be out of its confined collection space. Paul advocates and practices contact with those outside of Christ. The Christian who is part of the church that practices holy living and proper church discipline will not likely be swept away by the company or companionship or social interaction of non-Christian friends and acquaintances.

As the saying goes, there’s no problem with the boat being in the water, but when the water is in the boat, there is a definite problem. There is no problem with the Christian or the church being in the world; that is where they belong. The problem has been that the world has made its way into the church. That will ruin the church, and such a church will never be effective at rescuing the world.

“Lord, protect Your church through the ministry of faithful disciples.  AMEN”