– A Warning Letter
BRD REFLECTIONS:
1 Corinthians 5 and Psalm 130, 131 (NIV)
(Jennifer Ng, Mandarin Ministry Committee Member)
READ:
1 Corinthians 5 (NLT)
OBSERVE:
1 Corinthians 5 is about a warning letter by Paul to a church in Corinth.
These are what I observed:
Verse 1 : Although Paul is not in Corinth, he heard about a believer committing sexual immorality with his father’s wife. This is not something even a non-believer will do.
Verse 2 : Paul is questioning the church for not removing this man from their fellowship.
Verse 5 : Paul urges the church to cast this sinful man into Satan’s hands, so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved when the Lord returns.
Verse 6 : Paul warns the church that one person sinning can affect everyone else.
Verse 8 : Paul wants the church to celebrate by not eating the old bread of wickedness and evil but by eating the new bread of purity and truth.
Verse 9-11 : Paul does not want the church to associate herself with believers who continue to indulge in sin.
Verse 12 : Paul reminds the church not to judge outsiders but to judge those within the body.
Verse 13 : Ultimately Paul wants the church to purge this evil person from within them.
APPLY:
I have been a Christian for a long time but my relationships with fellow church members are more like “hi and bye” acquaintances. It usually does not bother me whether a brother or sister sins because they are not my real family.
Secondly I wouldn’t want someone to call me ” kaypo”.
Lastly everyone has to answer to God; I am not liable for them.
DO:
After reading 1 Corinthians 5, I realise that God’s family business is my business. I am liable for my brothers and sisters.
In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus gives clear instruction on how I am to help, and respond to believers who are unrepentant by:
- Speaking to the one sinning against me privately. If he repents, I am to extend forgiveness.
- If I am unsuccessful, I am to ask for 1 or 2 others to speak with him together with me.
- If he is still unrepentant, I am to bring the matter to the attention of the church and I will leave the matter to the discernment and wisdom of the church elders.
- I am to trust that the Holy Spirit is in our midst and to let Him guide us.
PRAY:
Dear Abba Father, I am not perfect and am still learning Your ways. Becoming a Christian just makes me become more aware of the sins I commit. Please wash away my sins.
Please control my tongue when I speak and let Your Holy Spirit prompt me each time I sin. You know my heart Lord. Renew my love for You and Your people; help me to help them.
In Jesus’ most precious name I pray. Amen!
