Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 5 (day four)
No one wants to be labeled as ‘judgmental.’ In today’s culture, that characteristic has been made to be derogatory or repulsive. According to Paul, we are not to be critical or judgmental toward those who are outside the church…those in the world. We are to exercise discernment inside the church though and correct immoral behavior by a brother in Christ.
Believers are held to a higher standard. We have the Holy Spirit within us to convict us of wrong behavior. Sometimes, we choose to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit and we sin. Our church community has a responsibility to bring discipline upon us to restore us to righteous living. If a believer is allowed to remain in sin, he becomes a harmful witness to the truth of the gospel.
Deuteronomy 13:4 says, “You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.” Verse 5 says, “So you shall purge the evil from among you.”
