Central Truth

Yesterday Paul reminded the Corinthian believers of his authority over them. Today we see why. One of them was involved in egregious sin. To make matters worse, the other church members not only knew about it, but were proud. Paul leads with grace, but does not compromise the truth.

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Reflections

Paul’s immediate concern in the passage was not to win back the fallen brother; although, in a later situation he would recommend gentleness to win someone back (see 2 Timothy 2:25). In this situation he was concerned for the rest of the group.

When I read this passage the first thing that came to mind was a beachhead. As the American forces were moving through the Pacific islands in WWII they would establish beachheads as they came to a new island. Once they gained a niche on the beach they could pour in the troops and overwhelm the enemy strongholds. When Christ saves us He establishes a beachhead in our hearts. Over the rest of our earthly days he sanctifies us and slowly overwhelms the enemy’s strongholds in our hearts. However, the enemy does not give up easily. He looks for ways to encroach on and infiltrate in the progress of Christ in our hearts. The enemy of our souls wants sin to creep in and ruin the beautiful work of Christ in our hearts. He would also love more than anything to see that ruin spread from one heart to another. What would have happened if the Allies had lost one Pacific island and then another and another? It begins to make sense why Paul was so concerned for the Corinthian church. The enemy was trying to infiltrate the church.

This is a tough passage for me. I typically lead with grace with people. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes. I think about the former mega-church pastor Ted Haggard. He had an enormous ministry and significant influence. But sin crept in and the beautiful work of Christ in his life was marred. While Jesus wants to heal Ted, He also wants to preserve and protect others around him. So, we should lead with grace, but be careful not to compromise truth. Just like the Apostle Paul we should be concerned and compassionate for those of us who stumble and fall, but I also see the need to protect the body of Christ from the evil one.

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Discussion Questions

1. Do we have any unconfessed sin that may be hindering us from having an intimate and rich relationship with God or others? 

2. What spiritual disciplines (that will protect us from sin) . . . like Christian community, worship, reading the Word, prayer, serving, solitude, fasting . . . seem to be lacking? How can we seek these out and engage in them more readily?

3. How can we "walk in the light "? Read 1 John 1:5-9 

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