I Corinthians 5- Discipline

Today in class, we had a most difficult chapter- not difficult because we don't understand what Paul says, but difficult because we shrink from actually doing what is described. And Paul is most upset with the church in Corinth for NOT acting.

Here are a couple of additional thoughts that I'd like to share.

Paul instructs the church to expel the man who won't repent by handing him over to Satan so that the sinful nature might be destroyed. We talked at length on what this means and I shared several verses with you. Here's another similar situation from Rev 2- the church in Thyatira:

20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. (NIV)

See how similar it is to Corinth?

1. The sin had to do with sexual immorality, same as Corinth.
2. Here, its a person of authority, a teacher.
3. God is patient, giving her time to repent. It seems that in Corinth, ample time had gone by such that everyone had heard about it and the church was proud instead of grieving. Ample time to repent.
4. God gets to the point where He's had enough. "Okay" He says, "if that's the life you want to lead, go right ahead. But you'll pay for your choice."
5. The result is intense suffering, for Jezebel and for those that join her. She may have lost children as part of this judgement. In Corinth, the result is exactly the same- the destruction of the flesh, the sinful nature, to the point of death. This can be avoided if repentance occurs.

Another portion of relevant scripture is in Hebrews chapter 12.

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as children? It says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child."
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate children at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had parents who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 Our parents disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (NIV)

This section teaches us to expect God's hand of discipline to be upon us because He loves. God's discipline is for our good. God's discipline is painful. It could very well affect our health. Similar to what Paul says in I Cor 11- "that is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep...when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world."

When a person is disciplined by the local church, its confirming the decision the person has already made. The person is expressing the following:

• I will not change my behavior.
• In fact, I choose that behavior .
• I will not be subject to the scriptures, or to the local church.
• I reject the truth of God.
• I embrace the world and its standards.

Just like the prodigal son, this person goes and embraces all the world has to offer...until, he comes to himself, living with the pigs.

The local church provides an umbrella of protection from the dangers of the world. There is the person of Christ to shepherd us and to feed us. There's the ministry of the Holy Spirit that joins us to the other believers, the divine link that bonds us together. There's the ministry of other believers- those that teach and preach the word- to build us up in our most holy faith. There's the fellowship of other believers that encourages us and gives us opportunities to serve. There's the power of prayer, an unseen by palpable force that unites us, comforts us, and protects us. When a believer is caught up in sin and refuses to repent, he cuts himself off from all these blessings. He chooses the pleasures of sin for a season in exchange for all of the benefits that the local church body can offer. That's why we should grieve and cry out to God when someone chooses this path- its a path of hurt and pain and despair directly away from all the provisions that God provides in His church, the body of Christ.

Finally, I'd like to touch on Galatians chapter 6.

1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If any of you think you are something when you are nothing, you deceive yourselves...
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. People reap what they sow. 8 Those who sow to please their sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; those who sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (NIV)

This amazing passages teaches us the responsibility we have to come around someone caught up in sin and lift them up to restoration. It's easier for us to look down our nose at someone struggling with sin and literally cross the road. What attitudes we can have as Christians! "Thank God" prays the religious leader, "that I'm not like this person here..." That's the judgemental attitude that God condemns- judgement that makes us think we are somehow better. It gets so bad that no one is able or willing to share personal struggles because of the condemnation of others. I often wonder why prayer requests are so infrequent for personal struggles- "can you pray for ME, I'm struggling with abc..." Can you think of an example when someone asked for prayer for themselves? Why is it so rare? Pride. That's why.

If any of you think you are something when you are nothing, you deceive yourselves.

Next, Paul makes certain to let us know that our sin has consequences. If we feed the flesh and sow to please our sinful nature, we reap destruction. Could this be physical punishment, as it seems to be in the other passages (I Cor 5, I Cor 11, Heb 12, Rev 2)? God is not to be trifled with. We know Him and we understand His ways. We are NOT deceived and we KNOW that God cannot be mocked and sin will have consequences. For the believer, we can rest assured that "our spirit will be saved on the Day of the Lord". The writer of Hebrews says in chapter 10: "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgement and of raging fire the will consume the enemies of God."

That's why its such an important aspect of our ministry and responsibility to our brothers and sisters in Christ to shoulder their burdens and to help them in their struggle with sin. This is not easy work, but it's a tremendous need and especially rewarding. I'll close with these very interesting verses at the end of Jude.

22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (NIV)

These verses have to do with sin and how we react to it. Have you ever shown mercy to a doubter? Have you ever shown mercy to someone totally corrupted by sin? Has their corruption scared you? Or, have you ever snatched someone from the fire?

Let me know your thoughts.

Eric