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TRANSCRIPT
As we finish the books of 1 and 2 Corinthians, we can see that Paul communicates very directly Christians should and should not do. We’ve learned that the Corinthian church was struggling with many different kinds of sin. When Paul speaks with the Corinthians, he is willing to confront them because he has loved and discipled them. I love what Pastor Tim shared a few months ago. We have to make sure we have a relationship with people before we confront them on their sin. Paul had gone and established strong relationships with those in the Corinthian church.
Acts 17 tells us that he planted the church and spent one and a half years in Corinth. He visited the church three times. So, having established the relationship, he is calling them out. The Corinthian church was demanding proof that Christ was speaking through Paul. Verses 2-4 say, “On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others…He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.”
I don’t know about you, but I am a BIG people pleaser. This is something I’m working on currently, but we can’t win them all. This passage does point to the fact that we should confront sin in our fellow believers is something that helps me when I want to avoid this part of mentorship or discipleship is keeping the mindset that confronting sin is actually showing them love because it brings them closer to the Lord. Even though it may hurt or be painful, it is our responsibility as loving Christians. But also, this is not giving us permission to confront everyone for their sin. Like we’ve established already, you have to have a relationship with them. We should not be judging or confronting those outside of the church.
1 Corinthians 5:12-13 says, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside." In verse 10, Paul talks about the authority the Lord gave him for building up the Corinthian church, not tearing them down. It is also not giving us permission to be rude or mean in the confrontation. He calls on the church to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith. This is good for us to note as we also should examine ourselves to make sure that we are operating out of a place of faith. In verse 9, he prays that the Corinthian church may be fully restored. That’s a heart of love. All of these bold statements are made from a place of compassion and hope for the church to be restored. Verses 10-11 say, “This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” Paul wants the Corinthian church to be fully restored. More than that, God wants the church to restored. It is something that we should strive for which means we have to choose to live this way.
We have to work for it through the power of the Holy Spirit. That is why sin must be confronted. But that is also why it has to be done in a loving way. We are supposed to be a built up, encouraged group of people. We are supposed to be of one mind and live in peace. We are supposed to be a group of people that look different and that are attractive to those outside of God’s kingdom so that every person might come to a saving relationship with Him.