Bible Thoughts

March 31, 2002

When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth one of the major issues that he addressed was the Corinthians overall lack of spiritual maturity. Whereas they should have been spiritual men, eating solid food, instead they were still babes, requiring milk. By still behaving as men after the flesh they demonstrated their overall lack of growth. Paul spends the first part of his letter establishing that this is so. In the fifth chapter he begins to address specific issues among them, namely their sexual immorality. “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife"(1 Corinthians 5:1). In verse 9 Paul writes, “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators." In light of the previous chapters, Paul’s meaning should be clear: the spiritual man has no communion with the fleshly man. However this point must be clarified. Continuing in verse 10 Paul writes “I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters; for then you would have to go out of the world” (NAS).

Many Christians make this mistake—they continue associating with the immoral among their number and cease to associate with those in the world. In other words, Christians hold an unbeliever to a standard that the unbeliever never claimed to hold, while allowing their own brethren to trample Christ under foot. Christ never tolerated a hypocrite, yet where is the hypocrisy? Christ himself said, “And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”(John 12:47-48).

Christ understood that judgment was to be rendered by the Father. Paul understood this as well when he wrote “For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” It is not inconsistent for Christians to judge the body for the body is made up of people that have already professed Christ and are thus accountable to him. But Christians must realize that, as far as the world is concerned, they are to be like Christ: laboring to save the world and leaving judgment to God.-Scott Huston

It is much easier for one to overlook the fault of a friend than the fault of an enemy(or someone not particularly liked). It is much easier to understand the position of one who is close to us than to see why those who are distant could believe such a thing. We have a tendency to be more understanding of one who is considered a close friend than a casual acquaintance.

The above mentioned reactions find their way into religious practice and feelings. We will sometimes go so far as to tolerate error in our friends, we will condemn, with much enthusiasm, those who are not our friends. However, error is error and truth is truth--wherever it may be found. When it has found its way into the life or teaching of a dear one to us does not remove its character.

We must be careful lest we permit our nearness to someone blind us to reality. Paul did not permit the apostleship of Peter to interfere with his pointing out the unacceptable conduct of his brother(Galatians 2). Did he not show his concern for Peter by rebuking him and helping him recover from his wrongs? The true friend will point a man toward the truth(Galatians 4:16). In fact: How could one be really concerned for another as he sees him tottering on the brink of spiritual disaster and refuses to offer assistance?

We must not permit our responsibility to truth to be blinded by the friendship of others. One brother advised years ago, "Do not put too much confidence in men." Most of us have lived long enough to realize the truthfulness of his words.

Friends are wonderful. They should be earnestly cultivated. Do not forget, however, that the Christian owes his first responsibility to God and to truth.

It is a Bible Fact the home has been the foundation of society since God brought Eve to Adam. Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh"(Genesis 2:23-24). To destroy society, one must destroy the home.

There have been many efforts to undermine what the Bible reveals concerning the establishment and functions of the home. Various individuals and groups have set out to destroy this God-ordained relationship(for that is what it is) and have been unsuccessful. Modern threats to the home, we pray, will never be able to remove the foundation of our way of life.

In order to keep the security offered in this divine relationship, one must be willing to respect the responsibility for such. The father must know and meet his role, as well as the other members of the family. The mother must know and meet her role, setting an example of godliness for the family. Parents need to guide, discipline, and nurture children. Children need to accept parental authority. Mates, parents, and offspring must all do their part in making an effective home by meeting their responsibilities. How is it at your house?

I always knew the "Light of Life" came through Him Yet, in my sin, I turned that light down dim.

I mixed in some colored lights in gay display Of things earthly and selfish along the broad way.

I'm glad I didn't stop, as along that way I passed, For through loves patient teaching, the whim didn't last.

Today, remembering those dim lights along the way, I suffer-repent-and hope that I will never forget to pray.

That I may keep the Faith and ever strong be And try to live my life, as for eternity.