Accepting Sin

I was reading in 1 Corinthians 5 today and realized that many churches today have decided to forsake the instructions found in scripture when dealing with sinners. Not sure why that is but many churches today are accepting of so many life choices that God's word directly calls sin. I understand the argument that we cannot judge the world by a standard that is foreign to them and that's not my point.   Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 that he is not addressing the sinners outside the church. Our judgement is reserved for our fellow believers who are not walking in righteousness. In Romans 1:26-32 you can read the list of behaviors that God considers sin that come from denying there is a God and placing ones own fleshly desires first. However, in an attempt to seem less judgmental we most often say things like God hates the sin but loves the sinner. In truth if we have repented of our sin and stop living in it allowing it to control our lives then we are no longer sinners. Not saying you won't stumble and fall but when you do as a Christian you ask for forgiveness and get back up and start walking like Christ. The problem is we have laid aside Church discipline in order to be more acceptable in our culture. I know that might sound harsh but it's the truth. In Corinth there was a man known to be sleeping with his father's wife. Paul is being held in a Roman prison and knows about it. What does that tell us about the appearance and perception of the Corinthian church. This action was unacceptable in society in general but was in direct contradiction to the teachings of the church. Paul sends them word about what needs to be done with this man and woman. The solution is to cut them off from the church. Today we joke about excommunication mainly because we have limited standards for membership and we provide services whether a person is a member or not. The early church was a select group of people who had to prove themselves before membership could be received. Today it requires next to nothing there is no requirement for financial support. The need for consistency in attendance is no longer important and let's not forget that we as born again believers in Jesus Christ are called to share the Gospel with a lost and dying world. Somewhere along the way we have lost track of God's mission for the church and made it all about us and what we want. It's not popular but it's time we stopped walking around with our heads in the sand and instead pulled out our shield, sword, helmet, sandles and the belt of truth and brought back a time preparedness for battle. Not everyone that calls Jesus Lord knows who he really is or what the Holy Spirit can do. It is for those individuals who refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to direct them unto repentance, deliverance and salvation that we must pray for and ask God to send a heart of surrender into our churches. With God all things are possible, so let us start by praying for those in our churches who are living a double life and that God will send deliverance and new life. All of that is so the individual can one day be whole and celebrating.

Be Blessed