August 9 - 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 - No Grace Without Discipline

We worship a merciful God, don’t we? Ezra 9:13 says “…God, you have punished us less than our sins have deserved …” Jeremiah in Lamentations writes, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed …”  What compassion and mercy! But does that mean that unholy behavior is of no concern anymore? Do we leave our sins unaddressed, covered by the mountain of His grace? Might we go so far as to be proud of our ‘graciousness’ at the expense of spiritual discipline? It appears Paul is speaking to that situation in 1 Corinthians 5.

Corinth was a city known for its sexual immorality. In fact, the city’s name had become a verb in the common language of the day. To corrupt people’s morals was to “corinthianize” them! But corrupt people do get saved. They don’t get perfected, they get forgiven. This means, many still carry around some of the baggage of the old life. The man in today’s text still carried his lust and lack of restraint around with him. And it showed up in a despicable way – a sexual encounter with his stepmother.

In the midst of this, Paul says the church was “proud” and “boasting.” It would be extremely difficult to think that the congregation approved of this behavior, proud and boasting about a man’s tryst with a family member! I rather think the church was proud and boasting about its grace or forgiveness toward the man. But grace is not a free pass. Forgiveness is not the repeal of holiness. Where was the calling of sin sin? Where was the appropriate sorrow and anger that such a thing could happen among them? Where was the necessary rebuke and correction?

The pursuit of holiness and spiritual discipline are part of God’s plan. Some preachers rail against the sins of the world, yet tend so weakly to the ungodly behaviors in their own churches. Paul says it’s not our jurisdiction to judge those outside the church. Our responsibility is to call our own members to live according to God’s Word; speaking pure truth in love.

Pray: Holy God, help me to promote and model holy living among your people. I thank you for your grace and forgiveness. Help me to be merciful even as I have received mercy. But do not let me use your grace as an excuse for license. Help me to apply discipline with love; and to apply it first to me.