Articles
Caring About Caring
I am not sure the world has ever cared about morality. Paul wrote of the time when people gloried in their shame and whose god was their belly (Phil. 3:19). He also described the Gentile world as "having their understanding darkened…who being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanliness with greediness” (Eph. 4:8, 19).
So, we ought not to be surprised when the world has that attitude and their behavior corresponds. But shouldn’t God’s people be different? “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteous and godly…” (Tit. 2:11-12). Yet, just one glance at social media and the language used and images posted indicate ungodliness and worldly lusts rule. Why would people who are Christians post the language they use for all to see? It is bad enough that it is used, but to share it to see how many likes one can get seems like a lack of a sense of shame. Why would images that uncover oneself, whether boy or girl, be shared? Is it to see how many likes one can get? Why share the lewdness? Where is the shame and sense of privacy?
Christians cannot be lackadaisical in their treatment of sin. Bible teachers cannot be apathetic in dealing with a casual attitude toward immorality. The true glory of God’s people is not exemplified in the eloquence or charisma of their teachers, nor in the strength and wisdom of their leaders. The strength of God’s people rests in their moral fiber and character of her members.
The church in Corinth was not only indifferent toward the sinful man but they even "gloried" in their behavior and were "puffed up" about it. The implication of the wording is that they were proud of their tolerance. But Paul was not indifferent to their indifference. The call by Paul is to deal with the sin to which they were indifferent. If they continued to refues to deal with the sinful man, he would be lost and there would also be a greater damage to the church. A church can become so bad that it loses its illumination, and when the light of the church is as dark as the world, she is a worthless sham. Jesus said to His disciples, "...ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14, 16).
Christians must maintain their devotion to "Christ-like" character. We must accept nothing less than everyone putting forth our best effort in that pursuit (1 Peter 2:22-24). We must stand in solidarity in our condemnation of immorality and those who continue to practice immorality. And, when it becomes necessary to discipline a member who will not walk in rank with truth, every member must do his part to try and restore the erring brother (1Corinthians 5:2, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13).
Are we nonchalant about sin? And are we indifferent to indifference manifested by others? If so, we won't save the erring brother (James 5:19-20). As a result the whole church will become contaminated and lose its true light.
Rickie
