A Little Leaven:
Sin is dangerous, in fact, it is deadly! We must be cautious of its existence in our lives and in those who have influence in our lives. Let’s be honest, none of us are perfect; we are all going to make mistakes and probably sin an average of more than once a day. Though, I believe we can all recognize the difference in regrettable mistakes and willful wickedness. The sin of fornication was clearly named in this passage. Apparently, it had become well known that some to the people in the Church at Corinth were openly involved in immoral relationships. There is no indication of shame on their part, but rather a defiant arrogance about this ungodly behavior. Paul warns them to separate themselves from those who were involved in a sinful lifestyle and were not willing to repent and forsake it for Christ’s sake.
Sin is dangerous, in fact, it is deadly! We must be cautious of its existence in our lives and in those who have influence in our lives. Let’s be honest, none of us are perfect; we are all going to make mistakes and probably sin an average of more than once a day. Though, I believe we can all recognize the difference in regrettable mistakes and willful wickedness. The sin of fornication was clearly named in this passage. Apparently, it had become well known that some to the people in the Church at Corinth were openly involved in immoral relationships. There is no indication of shame on their part, but rather a defiant arrogance about this ungodly behavior. Paul warns them to separate themselves from those who were involved in a sinful lifestyle and were not willing to repent and forsake it for Christ’s sake.
Of course, we as Christians, should desire to help those
trapped in the bonds of sin, but we must also recognize that sinners have to
first desire change and repentance.
There comes a point when we will realize that a person is more in love
with his sin than the Saviour. At that point we will have to limit the
amount of time we spend with that person until he makes some changes. This is not something that we should do
cheerfully or with malice, but with much prayer and hope that those changes
will be made quickly. “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole
lump?” Leaven is what causes loaf of
bread to rise. The whole “lump” (which
illustrates a group of people) is changed because of the leaven (which pictures the wickedness in the group). Sin has an effect on all those around
it. If you are involved in sin you are
hurting those around you, and if you are around someone living in sin you are
being affected by it.
I Corinthians 5:1-8
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
I Corinthians 5:1-8
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
No comments:
Post a Comment