I Corinthians 5:9-11 (NIV)
9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (1 Co 5:9-11). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Is this not a command on living holy lives? If I am not supposed to associate with someone who calls himself a believer and lives as the world lives, then that would also mean that as a believer I am not suppose to live that way… yes? I am so tired of seeing men who claim to be believers, who claim to have had a life changing encounter with Father God, treat him with such carelessness and apathy. I have seen men get free of the crap in their lives, those strongholds that so easily ensnare us and then like a dog returning to their vomit, walk (willingly)back into sin again – knowing full well that God will forgive them again… and again… and AGAIN.
Is there that little regard for the holiness of God? Is there that little “…fear of the LORD..”? Woe is me, should I take God’s grace for granted! He IS merciful – thank you Lord – but lest we forget that he is also Holy and Just.
I am a firm believer that when someone truly encounters the Living God, you cannot NOT be changed. When we really – and I mean really – get into the presence of God, we walk away changed. We cannot help but be changed by His presence. My fear is that all too many people get to the shoreline of the ocean of his presence and dip their toes in and call that a “transformational” experience with God.
Look at Romans 12:9-21 (The Message) for how to live this life we are CALLED to live…
9–10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11–13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14–16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
17–19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
20–21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Ro 12:8-21). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.
I’m telling you, we are commanded to live this way. Read the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This is a pretty good summary of those passages and that sermon that Jesus gave.
Would Jesus command us to do something we were in capable of doing? There is, on more than one occasion, where Jesus himself says “Go and sin no more.” (John 5:14, John 8:11) I’m tired of giving into sin, whatever that sin may be, if it’s being judgmental, if it’s getting angry or hateful, if it’s pride (and it always boils down to pride)… whatever it is… it is all SIN and it is PUTRID in the nostrils of the God I love and serve. My Father in Heaven is holy and worthy of my best and He calls me to live differently. He calls me to die to my selfishness and my flesh – which is all sinning is – giving in to what “I” want to do and not what He wants me to do.
Action Items:
- Renew my mind by memorize Romans 12:9-21 from The Message
- Train up my kids in the way that they should go by having them memorize this passage.
Father God, You are so holy. I am not. Help me to die to my rotten, stinking flesh today. Live my life through me according to Galatians 2:20 today. Let it be to me according to thy word! May I become a living example of Romans 12:9-21 so that people don’t see me when they look at this flesh-pod, but they see the Jesus in me. Keep me forever humbled before you and live through me so that I might not sin against you. If and when I fail, make me quick to repent in true humility and sincere brokenness before You. You are my life and I die to myself before you today. In Jesus’ name, let it be.
Running After Papa…