1 Corinthians 5

Bible Passage:  1 Corinthians 5

Do you know what it’s like to feel guilty?
When you’ve done something wrong,
And your conscience pricks you.
I know that feeling because I’ve made many mistakes.
But not to change after the event is the worst mistake of all,
Because all it takes is a little stumble before a great fall.

There was a report about a brother who
committed sexual immorality for he was…
“A man is living with his father’s wife”—
What’s wrong with a son living his mother?
But notice it’s a “man” and not “son”,
Therefore their relationship was wrong.

Moreover the church did not do anything about this,
But they were a proud bunch.
They didn’t seem to look out for one another,
Instead they turned a blind eye to their sinning brethren.
But excommunication is the punishment for sin
such as sexual immorality between kin.

Even the sin of one member can destroy a whole church.
Just like “a little leaven leavens the whole lump.”
So Paul exhorts the believers cleanse the old leaven out.
This “old leaven” refers the our sinful life of our past,
And to be “unleavened bread of sincerity and truth”,
Because the church must be holy and pure and sincere to one another.

Lastly Paul writes not to bear with those who are sinful,
“Not even to eat with such a one” or associate with them.
Those include drunkards, idolaters, sexually immoral,
Covetous, a reviler (speaks abusively), or an extortioner (lawbreaker).
The list is long but Paul’s orders are firm
As he commands them to give strict punishment.

God will judge those who are on the outside,
Such as the wicked man and his father’s wife.
On the other hand those who are inside the church
Can be overseen by each other.
But all will be accountable and judgement
Will be decided between him/her and God.

How can we get past the guilt today and get closer to God?