Reading
SAA Notes
The leaders of this church were divided over what to do – this young man was living with his stepmother. Paul speaks straight to them. Today, the tendency in evangelical circles is to be just like these elders.
SJA Notes
* God Above, please open our hearts to hearken to Your word to us today, to listen and obey.
“For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside.”
Here is one strong truth and reality from Paul. One we must wrestle with.
Are we white-hot with anger in judgement at those around us, the people who don’t believe in Jesus?
Do we berate them for not holding to God’s laws, for not keeping His Name holy, for not keeping the Sabbath day practice?
No.
If we find ourselves acting in such a way, we are to heed Paul’s words here.
“For what have I to do with judging outsiders?”
Paul’s instructions are to be actioned within the people of God, within the church, where wolves disguised as sheep prowl, where christian people can do terrible things.
We are to be a regulated people under God’s laws!
However, we are not to bludgeon our unbelieving friends and family with rules and regulations. As good as we trust those laws to be, as helpful as we see them.
First and foremost – We all of us need Jesus!
Our hearts need to be reborn first!
Revival does not begin with reforming the laws of the land, of the country we are in, the world around us – Revival is only through hearts being saved by the Holy Spirit.
It is the gospel good news that we have for those outside God’s covenant.
Let us desire that they might turn and be saved!
* Father God,
Please Lord, please bring about revival in the hearts and minds of those around us – That many sinners might be saved, that heaven would rejoice with the news!
Please Lord, prepare our hearts for revival, that Your church in this generation might be ready, willing and able to witness and teach, to proclaim fearlessly the message of Jesus, to be going about Your will for us.
Amen.