1-22-2016

        Good Morning All!!   

          1 Corinthians 5:12; “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”

     We are back to the “no-no” stage of grandparenting.  Our sweet granddaughter is 15 months and goes pretty much anywhere she wants.  She tries to climb on everything, she touches everything and everything goes into her mouth; she hers “no-no” a lot.  This past week, we had a cold snap so we ran our gas fireplace for a little extra heat.  She was close to the fireplace and she heard, “no-no, it’s hot; don’t touch.”  When she got too close for grandpa’s comfort, she was swooped up and away from the fireplace.  She is constantly told that something she is doing can hurt her so she gets told “no-no”.  We do it so she is safe because eventually she will learn.

    This is part of the logic for our verse.  Many Christians struggle with this.  We are quick to say “don’t judge” yet Paul is telling us something different, we are to judge those in the church; those who are fellow redeemed Christians.  We are to point out sin, not to hurt the other person, not to demean or assault the other person but to warn the other person that their actions are hurting them.

    When one of our brothers or sisters is engaging in a willful sinful activity, they are harming their relationship with God and with their fellow redeemed.  They are engaging in something that will hurt them terribly.  At the minimum, we need to warn them.  We need to tell them that what they are doing is going to hurt and hurt badly and the consequences may be irreversible. 

    Many of us are uncomfortable with this.  We prefer to avoid anything that we see as “conflict”.  We tend to mind our own business and would really rather not be part of it.  This is a natural response.  We may even think a “live and let live” attitude is a loving one; but in truth, it can be very detrimental.  Too allow a loved one to engage in harmful, detrimental or painful action isn’t really loving; it is really abandoning your love for them.

    No one would ever think, “Just let your granddaughter touch the hot fireplace.”  No one would ever think that would be acceptable in any event.  We should not allow any of our loved ones engage in a damaging activity without at least warning them of the potential harm they face.  They need to be aware that these events, sins against God, will harm their relationships with God and their fellow believers.   It is a difficult task; it is a task that requires a lot of prayer and thoughtful consideration and above all true love for your brother or sister.

    Remember, in Christ we are all family.  You wouldn’t allow someone you loved to touch a hot stove or walk into a dangerous situation without trying to warn them.  This should be true at all levels of our life.

Father in heaven, give us the wisdom to speak the loving truth to our brothers and sisters.  Send your Spirit to bring healing and restoration.  Bring your family together.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret