I Corinthians 5

Thanks Mac. Your "lesson" was instructive. I am still undecided on the issue. My main point was that I like to think of the benefits of being a follower of Jesus without the costs. Being able to lead and teach others, having special powers from God, and so on sounds much better than Paul's description of the life of an apostle.

What does Paul mean by "hand this man over to Satan?" I guess he means put him out of the church. I guess the goal is to knock some sense into the guy so that he sees that what he is doing is offensive to God.

Why would the Corinthians (the people in the church in Corinth) be "proud" of the fact that some guy in their church is married (sleeping?) with his father's wife? First of all, this sounds like a TV soap opera. Second, something is really twisted up in this church.

Paul makes an interesting point at the end of this letter. He tells us that we should not judge people of the world. We can teach, train, correct and rebuke people in the church, but it is "none of my business" to judge those outside the church. Is it not amazing how much people in the "church" in the United States judge those outside of the church? I see stories in the paper nearly everyday where "Christians" are judging or trying to correct "non-Christians." In our political system, we "seem" to have a party that is "Christian" leaning and a party full of idolaters (at least that is the way they are often portrayed on at least one news network). There is much conflict between the "Christians" and the "non-Christians."

At the same time, there is a reluctance or fear to speak up in the church. As I think about it, I believe I hear much more conversation about the heathens outside of the church than I do about sin within the church.

Another thought I had while reading today was, where is the line? A guy sleeping with his father's wife - I assume most consider that to be over the line! Paul also talks about those who are sexually immoral, greedy, those who are idolaters, slanderers, drunkards and swindlers. If I apply Jesus' definition to sexual immorality (Matt 5:28 - "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart") then I should not associate with anyone in the church (including myself!). The same can be applied to greedy - wanting more than I need. Is anyone in America not greedy according to the world's standards? Our economic system is based on greed. Idolaters are those who place anything before God - since I did not have a QT yesterday (I placed things before God), I am an idolater. Slanderers - have I ever slandered anyone? Have I ever passed on a story about someone that I heard but did not know for certain was true?

So, who should we associate with? Where is the line? What should be preached in the church? How much should we be in someone else's face? Who of us is innocent enough to correct someone else? Can you rebuke me for drunkenness if you are greedy? Can you rebuke me for immorality if you are a slanderer?

I don't know. Today's reading left me with many more questions than answers.