Sinful Living Reproved

Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5–6
Lesson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:6–11; 6:9–14; 5:7–13

Introduction

The first lesson in this quarter taught us that sin is a universal malady. When not checked it leads man into extreme depravity. The third lesson helped us understand that Christ came to set us free from sins of the past and to give us victory over sin for the future. Today’s lesson helps us see what can happen when sin creeps into the heart of a Christian and again defiles him to the point of spiritual death. The church must not tolerate sin but rather reprove it.

Key Verse

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul (1 Pet. 2:11).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Corinth was a large city of several hundred thousand people when Paul and his companions preached there and established the church. Corinth consisted of many different nationalities because it was a city of commerce with a thriving seaport. It had the reputation of being a place where idol worship with its immorality and vice of various kinds were freely indulged in. Those who were redeemed from such corruption would tend to slip back if they did not stay close to the Savior.

Immorality today may equal that of Sodom and Gomorrah or the Roman Empire, where idol worship and ungodliness were rife. The deviant lifestyles that are openly professed today are an abomination before God. In the beginning God made mankind male and female and said that it was very good. Anything different is a result of the evil imaginations of the heart and mind. This is clearly defined in 1 Corinthians 6:9. When temptations to immorality are yielded to, individuals and homes are destroyed, creating much heartache. Paul admonished Timothy to “flee fornication” (1 Cor. 6:18).

Old Testament history is often used to warn how sin leads to God’s judgment. Those sins that bring spiritual death are clearly named in 1 Corinthians 5 and 6. Indulging in such sins causes the grace of God to depart, which results in spiritual death. This requires that the church discipline and ultimately excommunicate such transgressors from her fellowship.

Covetousness (which is idolatry) is named together with drunkenness and fornication, as is railing (using angry and abusive language against another person). The gospel requires a high standard of holiness in all areas of life.

Practical Truths for Today

When North America was settled, many laws of the land were established on Bible principles. The courts of the land even dealt with Sunday activities, not allowing stores to be open or trucks to run. Adultery and other forms of immorality were also judged. As time has passed, many of these laws have been discarded, leaving it to the individual conscience what to allow. The churches of the past also held up a certain standard, but time has eroded conviction, and, in many churches, sin can be indulged in without ecclesiastical consequences. Due to unbelief, many Christian principles have been discarded. The moral compass in society has lost its bearings, leaving few absolutes. Satan is being loosed. However, God’s love and God’s Word never change. God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9), which is evidence of His love.

Christians believe it desirable to learn to read so they can read the Bible. During times of reform in Israel, the Law of Moses was read publicly so the people might know God’s will and be inspired to obedience.

In the Bible is found the solid foundation for the church and Christian homes to build on. God’s Word is clear, defining sin and its consequences and providing absolutes for a safe and reliable moral compass. It teaches that sin will bring death: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). The Holy Spirit uses the truths of the Scripture to comfort the believers and to reprove the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

The Bible contains instructions how the church shall reprove an erring brother as well as how to deal with a fallen brother. It gives direction how to ordain leaders who will “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). Considering the sinful environment we live in, the pulpits of the church must not be silent about defining sin and preaching judgment. Such preaching and teaching bring conviction to the sinner and assurance and comfort to those who are seeking to live consistent, self-denied lives. Parents and teachers need to teach and maintain the standards of the Word so children will know the right way.

All immorality is sin and always brings guilt and shame, which makes it difficult for someone who sins to admit the full extent of his offense. Sin is a result of being first tempted and then yielding. To find deliverance and forgiveness there must be a clear and proper exposure, preferably to a ministerial staff member or parent. When the admission of sin needs to be pried out of someone, true repentance has not had its complete work. Depending on the gravity of the sin, the church may need to discipline the erring member. The purity of the church, the salvation of the individual, and the witness to the world must all be considered in a disciplinary action.

Sinful living is not acceptable to God, and we do not like to live with a guilty conscience. But in trying to remove their guilt, some people blame others for their sin. Others make themselves busy in an effort to forget about it, and a few perhaps sin yet more grievously, searing their conscience in an attempt to escape conviction.

We are thankful God has provided a remedy in Jesus Christ. He came to “save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21), and there is no respect of persons with God, so anyone may come and be forgiven. When there is a humble admission to wrongdoing, godly repentance, and faith in the Lord Jesus, the Scripture promises that a person’s sins will be forgiven and cast behind God’s back, never to be remembered.

Questions

1. What is our responsibility when we become aware that a brother or sister is playing or flirting with sin?
2. What are ways to prevent becoming calloused to the awfulness of sin?
3. Discuss the use of and effects of technology, the reason for electronic filters, and the need to uphold and obey church guidelines.
4. Unsubscribe

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).