“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. What! Did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only ones it has reached?” RSV
How many of us, as women, have read this passage and cringed? So many people use this passage to force women to refrain from participating in church, particularly as teachers or pastors. But we need to go back and look at the context again.
First, Paul is telling us that church is interactive, with each attendee bringing something to the table:
“When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.” (v. 26)
And then, Paul lists the qualifications of that “bringing:”
• What one brings must edify those who are in attendance
• If one speaks in tongues, there must be interpretation, otherwise the one speaking in tongues must be silent
• There can only be at most three “tongues” and those tongues given one at a time (in order)
• If one prophet is speaking and another wants to speak, the first must be silent.
• Everyone can prophesy if they wish, but it must be in turn
• Those coming can bring a hymn, a lesson, a revelation (prophesy), a tongue, or an interpretation
What we have here is two things: (1) That church is supposed to be interactive, with all participating (not a division of performers and audience); and (2) That what is done is done civilly, courteously, and in order; not with one roughshodding over another in order to dominate the service.
Well, that would make sense. Paul just got done telling us that love doesn’t demand it’s own way. In church, there should be no time frames, no looking at watches, but rather a coming together in love. What can we learn? What can we share? What can we take away from this so that we are better Christians?
And, in the middle of all this, Paul drops what seems like, to contemporary folks, a bombshell: “Women should keep silence.” The problem is, this passage is interpreted out of context. For see what it actually says:
“Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. If they have any questions to ask, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.”
The sense here isn’t women coming with something to share, but rather coming with questions and refusing to submit to the order of the service. Most women in Corinth couldn’t write, so they couldn’t jot down their questions. And, because of the cultural restrictions (women weren’t allowed to talk to men not in their own families), the women felt they didn’t have the freedom to get their questions answered. So they talked to their husbands. Paul says: “Let them ask their husbands at home.” That is the context.
This is the third time in this passage that Paul has asked for someone in the congregation to be silent:
• If someone is speaking in tongues and there is no interpretation, that person must be silent.
• If someone is prophesying and another wishes to prophesy, the first prophet must be silent.
• If women have questions of their husbands, they must be silent (and ask their husbands at home).
This isn’t a restriction against women, but rather a description of the order and courtesy to be allowed in a service where everyone is allowed to have input. Earlier in chapter 11, Paul talks about women praying and prophesying publically. And since there were no gender-specific (no women-only or men-only) services in the early Church, Paul was clearly talking, in this passage (chapter 14) about order, not about restrictions.
In fact, it’s interesting that near the end of this entire discourse (several chapters), Paul seems to throw in this small paragraph. Obviously, the women talking in the service wasn’t nearly as important in his mind as the disorder coming from people jostling each other (during the Lord’s supper; chapter 11), people speaking in tongues without interpretation, and those prophesy dominating the service.
Paul begins this paragraph with “God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” We need to remember that God brings order to chaos, forgiveness to sin, freedom to oppression. As women—as believers—our focus shouldn’t be on whether or not we gain our rights, but whether or not we please the Father. If there are others who wish to oppress us, He Himself is our advocate and He will make a way.
Musing
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
1 Corinthians 14:26-32
1 Corinthians 14:26-32
“What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.” RSV
What does your church look like? What does mine? I can tell you that we have been attending a local church for over a year and are involved very little in what happens there. We go. We sit. We sing (sort of; the worship is awful). We listen. We listen. We listen some more. And then we go home.
For thousands (millions?) of Christians, the experience is similar. Church has become a place where there is the “us” and “them.” “Us” sit in the pews, give money, give affirmation, and . . . sit in the pews. The “us” is many! The “them” stand on the platform, decide on the songs, decide on the sermon topic, perform . . . and perform.
No questions. No participation. No . . . nothing.
It reminds me of theater.
Have you ever gone to a play (or nowadays, to a movie), watched it, and come out confused? or disappointed because you knew there were things wrong? or you didn’t understand what happened?
Have you ever gone to church and not understood what the pastor was trying to say? or didn’t remember (by the end of lunch) the topic of the sermon? or didn’t have any idea how to implement what had been taught?
We used to pastor. And we used the traditional, audience-performer approach. And, to be honest, even though we pastored a very small church, there were still those there whose spiritual lives we didn’t know. Certainly, we didn’t allow “them” to tell “us” how to run the service.
Maybe we should have. Maybe if our congregation had had more buy-in, the church wouldn’t have collapsed on itself. Certainly, we would have had a better idea where everyone was spiritually and could have been better leaders, better pastors.
This scripture is so revealing: “Each one has . . . You can all prophesy . . . “ It is very interactive. Imagine going to church and knowing that everyone there expected you to bring something to contribute. And not only “something,” but a something that would be for edification of the others. We would have to prepare, to think and pray about the service all week. If the standard was the what was done, what was shared, must be for the edification of those attending, we would have to get to know each other (more than that morning handshake); we would become accountable for each other’s spiritual lives.
We would be a family, a spiritual family. And we would be stronger for it. Rather than living our lives in spiritual isolation, there would be true brothers and sisters holding us accountable, walking side-by-side with us as we struggled with temptation, overcame sin, grew in maturity as Christians.
There is a passage in Ephesians that talks about this. Unfortunately, the passage is often quoted out of context . . . and the context is important:
“And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love” (Ephesians 4:11-16 RSV).
Notice that the Lord gives gifts and those gifts are the five-fold ministry: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. (Some people hold that pastors-teachers was one office). And what is the work of these?
• To equip the saints for the work of ministry
• For building up the body of Christ
• To mature to manhood to the measure of the fulness of Christ
• That we may no longer be tossed about by every wind of doctrine
• That we speak the truth in love
• That we grow up in every way into Him
• That we work together properly, growing the Church in love
Wow! Do we see churches doing that? Are there many congregations that are actually concerned about whether or not each member belongs? each member is growing to spiritual maturity? that the growth process exists in love?
Rather, I see churches advertising (which means competing against other churches for dollars and members). I see churches adding programs to attract people (again, competing). I see lots of performances.
I see little growth.
I’m, by trade, a teacher. My craft is one of teaching and then assessing whether or not learning took place. It requires that I know my students rather intimately and that I am involved in a face-to-face relationship. It requires that we all be able to ask questions, theirs for clarification, and mine to find out whether they actually “got it” or not.
Have you ever had a pastor question you to see if you actually understood his sermon? (Interesting thought.)
Perhaps as Christians we need to expect more from our churches. And, if we released our pastor from the responsibility of entertaining us on Sunday mornings, perhaps he could expect more of himself.
“What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.” RSV
What does your church look like? What does mine? I can tell you that we have been attending a local church for over a year and are involved very little in what happens there. We go. We sit. We sing (sort of; the worship is awful). We listen. We listen. We listen some more. And then we go home.
For thousands (millions?) of Christians, the experience is similar. Church has become a place where there is the “us” and “them.” “Us” sit in the pews, give money, give affirmation, and . . . sit in the pews. The “us” is many! The “them” stand on the platform, decide on the songs, decide on the sermon topic, perform . . . and perform.
No questions. No participation. No . . . nothing.
It reminds me of theater.
Have you ever gone to a play (or nowadays, to a movie), watched it, and come out confused? or disappointed because you knew there were things wrong? or you didn’t understand what happened?
Have you ever gone to church and not understood what the pastor was trying to say? or didn’t remember (by the end of lunch) the topic of the sermon? or didn’t have any idea how to implement what had been taught?
We used to pastor. And we used the traditional, audience-performer approach. And, to be honest, even though we pastored a very small church, there were still those there whose spiritual lives we didn’t know. Certainly, we didn’t allow “them” to tell “us” how to run the service.
Maybe we should have. Maybe if our congregation had had more buy-in, the church wouldn’t have collapsed on itself. Certainly, we would have had a better idea where everyone was spiritually and could have been better leaders, better pastors.
This scripture is so revealing: “Each one has . . . You can all prophesy . . . “ It is very interactive. Imagine going to church and knowing that everyone there expected you to bring something to contribute. And not only “something,” but a something that would be for edification of the others. We would have to prepare, to think and pray about the service all week. If the standard was the what was done, what was shared, must be for the edification of those attending, we would have to get to know each other (more than that morning handshake); we would become accountable for each other’s spiritual lives.
We would be a family, a spiritual family. And we would be stronger for it. Rather than living our lives in spiritual isolation, there would be true brothers and sisters holding us accountable, walking side-by-side with us as we struggled with temptation, overcame sin, grew in maturity as Christians.
There is a passage in Ephesians that talks about this. Unfortunately, the passage is often quoted out of context . . . and the context is important:
“And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love” (Ephesians 4:11-16 RSV).
Notice that the Lord gives gifts and those gifts are the five-fold ministry: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. (Some people hold that pastors-teachers was one office). And what is the work of these?
• To equip the saints for the work of ministry
• For building up the body of Christ
• To mature to manhood to the measure of the fulness of Christ
• That we may no longer be tossed about by every wind of doctrine
• That we speak the truth in love
• That we grow up in every way into Him
• That we work together properly, growing the Church in love
Wow! Do we see churches doing that? Are there many congregations that are actually concerned about whether or not each member belongs? each member is growing to spiritual maturity? that the growth process exists in love?
Rather, I see churches advertising (which means competing against other churches for dollars and members). I see churches adding programs to attract people (again, competing). I see lots of performances.
I see little growth.
I’m, by trade, a teacher. My craft is one of teaching and then assessing whether or not learning took place. It requires that I know my students rather intimately and that I am involved in a face-to-face relationship. It requires that we all be able to ask questions, theirs for clarification, and mine to find out whether they actually “got it” or not.
Have you ever had a pastor question you to see if you actually understood his sermon? (Interesting thought.)
Perhaps as Christians we need to expect more from our churches. And, if we released our pastor from the responsibility of entertaining us on Sunday mornings, perhaps he could expect more of himself.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
1 Corinthians 5:12-13
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with immoral men; not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.” RSV
Scripture talks a lot about not judging others. And then, Paul comes along and commands us to judge others. It seems to contradict itself. This isn’t the kind of judgement that brings condemnation or punishment, but rather is the kind of judgement that calls into question. It is, in fact, the judgement that is done in love and demands that another believer turn away from their sin.
Matthew Henry says:
“. . . as to members of the church, they are within, are professedly bound by the laws and rules of Christianity, and not only liable to the judgment of God, but to the censures of those who are set over them, and the fellow-members of the same body, when they transgress those rules. Every Christian is bound to judge them unfit for communion and familiar converse. They are to be punished, by having this mark of disgrace put upon them, that they may be shamed, and, if possible, reclaimed thereby: and the more because the sins of such much more dishonour God than the sins of the openly wicked and profane can do. The church therefore is obliged to clear herself from all confederacy with them, or connivance at them, and to bear testimony against their wicked practices. Note, Though the church has nothing to do with those without, it must endeavour to keep clear of the guilt and reproach of those within.”
J. Vernon McGee writes:
“Paul says that he is not judging the people on the outside. That is not his business. He is to judge those inside the church. God will judge those who are on the outside. It is the business of the church to judge evil which is in the church.
“We are interested to know how things worked out in Corinth. To find the answer we need to turn to 2 Corinthians 2:4–8: “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.”
“This immoral man had come in deep repentance after Paul put it down on the line in his previous epistle. Today we need a great deal of courage—not compromise—in the church to point out these things and say, “This is sin.” I think that when this is done, the believer who is in sin will confess, like this man in Corinth and like David did, and will repent and change his ways. The Corinthian church handled this very nicely. Why? Because Paul had the courage to write this kind of letter. In 2 Corinthians Paul explains why he had done it: “Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you” (2 Cor. 7:12).
“Paul says that he wrote as he did for the welfare of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Today we hear this flimsy, hypocritical attitude: “Well, we don’t want to air this thing. We don’t want to cause trouble. We’ll just sweep it under the rug.” My friend, God cannot bless a church or an individual that does this. If God did bless, God would be a liar. And you know that God is no liar. He will judge inaction in a case like this.”
The fact is, Pastor McGee is right! When we refuse to deal with the sin that is within our midst as a church, we weaken the church. Think about it! It’s one of the things that’s happening within the American Church. We accept other Christians—and even pastors—who are obviously living in sin, catering to the lusts of their flesh, and we treat it as if it is simply common behavior for all believers! We accept their weak excuses and think that we can simply ignore it and go on.
Why do we love our sin so much and our Lord so little that we would dishonor Him by doing this? The Christians who are effective in witnessing, in ministry, in life are the Christians who have enough fortitude to stand up for the obviously morality that is taught in scripture, who deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow the Lord (rather than their own desires). We accept rationalizations like: “I made a mistake” or “I have an addiction” or “I couldn’t help myself.” Really? The fact is, we all know better. Our consciences have been quickened by the Holy Spirit. We (and they) knew the behavior was wrong.
We need to call a spade a spade, a sin a sin. And sin demands one response: repentance.
Repentance is more than simply saying one’s sorry. It’s making amends and turning back to go another way (the righteous, obedient way). A pastor who apologizes for the divorce he is still determine to have is not repentant. A man who has stolen from his company, who claims to be sorry for his actions, but who refuses to fully embrace the consequences of his choices (including imprisonment if that is warranted) isn’t repentant. A woman who commits adultery and justifies it because she is in a hard marriage isn’t repentant.
There is a difference between being repentant and being sorry one was caught. Christians are required to be repentant. If they aren’t, they are to be ousted from the fellowship of the community in hopes that the shame and isolation will compel them back to the Lord.
Scripture talks a lot about not judging others. And then, Paul comes along and commands us to judge others. It seems to contradict itself. This isn’t the kind of judgement that brings condemnation or punishment, but rather is the kind of judgement that calls into question. It is, in fact, the judgement that is done in love and demands that another believer turn away from their sin.
Matthew Henry says:
“. . . as to members of the church, they are within, are professedly bound by the laws and rules of Christianity, and not only liable to the judgment of God, but to the censures of those who are set over them, and the fellow-members of the same body, when they transgress those rules. Every Christian is bound to judge them unfit for communion and familiar converse. They are to be punished, by having this mark of disgrace put upon them, that they may be shamed, and, if possible, reclaimed thereby: and the more because the sins of such much more dishonour God than the sins of the openly wicked and profane can do. The church therefore is obliged to clear herself from all confederacy with them, or connivance at them, and to bear testimony against their wicked practices. Note, Though the church has nothing to do with those without, it must endeavour to keep clear of the guilt and reproach of those within.”
J. Vernon McGee writes:
“Paul says that he is not judging the people on the outside. That is not his business. He is to judge those inside the church. God will judge those who are on the outside. It is the business of the church to judge evil which is in the church.
“We are interested to know how things worked out in Corinth. To find the answer we need to turn to 2 Corinthians 2:4–8: “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.”
“This immoral man had come in deep repentance after Paul put it down on the line in his previous epistle. Today we need a great deal of courage—not compromise—in the church to point out these things and say, “This is sin.” I think that when this is done, the believer who is in sin will confess, like this man in Corinth and like David did, and will repent and change his ways. The Corinthian church handled this very nicely. Why? Because Paul had the courage to write this kind of letter. In 2 Corinthians Paul explains why he had done it: “Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you” (2 Cor. 7:12).
“Paul says that he wrote as he did for the welfare of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Today we hear this flimsy, hypocritical attitude: “Well, we don’t want to air this thing. We don’t want to cause trouble. We’ll just sweep it under the rug.” My friend, God cannot bless a church or an individual that does this. If God did bless, God would be a liar. And you know that God is no liar. He will judge inaction in a case like this.”
The fact is, Pastor McGee is right! When we refuse to deal with the sin that is within our midst as a church, we weaken the church. Think about it! It’s one of the things that’s happening within the American Church. We accept other Christians—and even pastors—who are obviously living in sin, catering to the lusts of their flesh, and we treat it as if it is simply common behavior for all believers! We accept their weak excuses and think that we can simply ignore it and go on.
Why do we love our sin so much and our Lord so little that we would dishonor Him by doing this? The Christians who are effective in witnessing, in ministry, in life are the Christians who have enough fortitude to stand up for the obviously morality that is taught in scripture, who deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow the Lord (rather than their own desires). We accept rationalizations like: “I made a mistake” or “I have an addiction” or “I couldn’t help myself.” Really? The fact is, we all know better. Our consciences have been quickened by the Holy Spirit. We (and they) knew the behavior was wrong.
We need to call a spade a spade, a sin a sin. And sin demands one response: repentance.
Repentance is more than simply saying one’s sorry. It’s making amends and turning back to go another way (the righteous, obedient way). A pastor who apologizes for the divorce he is still determine to have is not repentant. A man who has stolen from his company, who claims to be sorry for his actions, but who refuses to fully embrace the consequences of his choices (including imprisonment if that is warranted) isn’t repentant. A woman who commits adultery and justifies it because she is in a hard marriage isn’t repentant.
There is a difference between being repentant and being sorry one was caught. Christians are required to be repentant. If they aren’t, they are to be ousted from the fellowship of the community in hopes that the shame and isolation will compel them back to the Lord.
Monday, November 12, 2007
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with immoral men; not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.” RSV
If we, the Church, were more obedient to God’s Word, churches would probably be much smaller. Paul’s admonition here is for Christians not to associate with those bear “the name of brother” if:
• They are immoral
• They are greedy
• They are an idolater
• They are a reviler
• They are a drunkard
• They are a robber
Immoral: Literally translated “fornicator.” Having sex with someone to whom you’re not married. Our Lord Jesus told us that even lusting after someone is considered to be sexual sin:
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28
Unfortunately, as a Church, we support even pastors who lust after those to whom they aren’t married. We have failed to define and then support biblical marriage. Instead, we have followed after the example of our secular society to preach that marriage is about being happy and finding one’s soul mate. Nothing about controlling one’s lusts or emotions.
Paul tells us not to associate with the people who practice such things, who are immoral, who fornicate.
Greedy: Holding or wanting more. Covetous. The dictionary defines “covet” as “to wish for earnestly.”
How many of us don’t wish for a better car? A nicer house? More money? Newer clothes? More improved technology? A bigger TV?
“To wish for earnestly.”
Idolater: One who worships anything other than God.
When we worship, we give extravagant respect or devotion to something or someone.
The other day, a young woman posted a video on YouTube. This young woman was hysterical and ranting on about how everyone should just leave Britney Spears alone.
Worship.
Our Lord Jesus tells us: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34 RSV)
Where is our treasure? What do we worship? We can answer those questions by observation, even observing ourselves. What do we spend time with? What do we spend our resources on? That’s where our heart is.
Reviler: Someone who scolds others using abusive or harsh language. An abuser.
Is our anger out of control? Do we use words (or actions) to try to manipulate, rather than to minister?
Control is important to many people. Often people use words to try to control others, to try to assuage their own pain.
I remember one woman. I don’t know whether or not she was a believer, but she was a psychologist. She became irate at something I did (which wasn’t at all what she thought it was). She came to my work and, in public, proceeded to dress me down for insulting and hurting her.
Reviling. Railing. Scolding.
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22 RSV)
We are to forgive. We are to minister. Sometimes ministering means being firm. But it never means being insulting or abusive.
Drunkard: Someone who is habitually drunk.
Alcohol, drugs, intoxicating substances . . . none of that should be part of a believer’s life. Ever.
People imbibed because they are in pain. They are in pain because they have no hope. We have both a Hope and Someone to whom we can go to when things are dark and painful. Our recourse should be prayer, not masking the pain.
In today’s society, we use many things to escape pain. Often those things become addictive: shopping, partying, computer games, TV, Internet chats. There are others.
To whom or what did the psalmist David escape when he was suffering?
I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
My eye wastes away because of grief,
it grows weak because of all my foes.
Depart from me, all you workers of evil;
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
The Lord has heard my supplication;
the Lord accepts my prayer.
All my enemies shall be ashamed and sorely troubled;
they shall turn back, and be put to shame in a moment.
(Psalm 6:6-10 RSV)
This is a description of abject pain. And yet, to whom does the psalmist turn? To the Lord. To prayer. To faith in God.
Robber: Rapacious. Extortion. Thievery. Someone who covets what isn’t theirs and takes it by illegal and immoral means.
Do we lie on our income taxes? We have stolen what isn’t ours.
Do we use time at work for personal business (other than our allotted breaks)? We have stolen what isn’t ours.
Do we charge for purchases and then declare bankruptcy? We have stolen what isn’t ours.
The key to all of this are Paul’s words: . . . if he is guilty. Those of us (and yes, I’m included in this list) who have committed these sins, repented of them, and are forgiven are no longer guilty! (In fact, later, in 2 Corinthians, Paul tells the Corinthian church to restore the man in question because he has repented.)
What does it mean to repent? Is it enough simply to say “I’m sorry”?
No.
Repentance is about three things: (1) Asking for and accepting God’s forgiveness; (2) Restoring what has been taken, if at all possible; and (3) Turning around and going a different direction (e.g. never doing it again).
The dictionary gives this definition of repent: “to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life.” We become “not guilty” when we repent.
However, until a person repents, Paul gives a very strong admonition: But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty . . . not even to eat with such a one.
We are commanded to cut off relations with those who choose to sin until such time as they truly repent.
Do we do this in our churches? No. In fact, we boast about how tolerant we are of sinners, how much we embrace and love them. But, if we are not being obedient to scripture, do we truly love them or are we only loving ourselves? God gave us commandments for a reason. It’s because this is how things work best! Isn’t it about time we started doing what He has commanded?
If we, the Church, were more obedient to God’s Word, churches would probably be much smaller. Paul’s admonition here is for Christians not to associate with those bear “the name of brother” if:
• They are immoral
• They are greedy
• They are an idolater
• They are a reviler
• They are a drunkard
• They are a robber
Immoral: Literally translated “fornicator.” Having sex with someone to whom you’re not married. Our Lord Jesus told us that even lusting after someone is considered to be sexual sin:
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28
Unfortunately, as a Church, we support even pastors who lust after those to whom they aren’t married. We have failed to define and then support biblical marriage. Instead, we have followed after the example of our secular society to preach that marriage is about being happy and finding one’s soul mate. Nothing about controlling one’s lusts or emotions.
Paul tells us not to associate with the people who practice such things, who are immoral, who fornicate.
Greedy: Holding or wanting more. Covetous. The dictionary defines “covet” as “to wish for earnestly.”
How many of us don’t wish for a better car? A nicer house? More money? Newer clothes? More improved technology? A bigger TV?
“To wish for earnestly.”
Idolater: One who worships anything other than God.
When we worship, we give extravagant respect or devotion to something or someone.
The other day, a young woman posted a video on YouTube. This young woman was hysterical and ranting on about how everyone should just leave Britney Spears alone.
Worship.
Our Lord Jesus tells us: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34 RSV)
Where is our treasure? What do we worship? We can answer those questions by observation, even observing ourselves. What do we spend time with? What do we spend our resources on? That’s where our heart is.
Reviler: Someone who scolds others using abusive or harsh language. An abuser.
Is our anger out of control? Do we use words (or actions) to try to manipulate, rather than to minister?
Control is important to many people. Often people use words to try to control others, to try to assuage their own pain.
I remember one woman. I don’t know whether or not she was a believer, but she was a psychologist. She became irate at something I did (which wasn’t at all what she thought it was). She came to my work and, in public, proceeded to dress me down for insulting and hurting her.
Reviling. Railing. Scolding.
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22 RSV)
We are to forgive. We are to minister. Sometimes ministering means being firm. But it never means being insulting or abusive.
Drunkard: Someone who is habitually drunk.
Alcohol, drugs, intoxicating substances . . . none of that should be part of a believer’s life. Ever.
People imbibed because they are in pain. They are in pain because they have no hope. We have both a Hope and Someone to whom we can go to when things are dark and painful. Our recourse should be prayer, not masking the pain.
In today’s society, we use many things to escape pain. Often those things become addictive: shopping, partying, computer games, TV, Internet chats. There are others.
To whom or what did the psalmist David escape when he was suffering?
I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
My eye wastes away because of grief,
it grows weak because of all my foes.
Depart from me, all you workers of evil;
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
The Lord has heard my supplication;
the Lord accepts my prayer.
All my enemies shall be ashamed and sorely troubled;
they shall turn back, and be put to shame in a moment.
(Psalm 6:6-10 RSV)
This is a description of abject pain. And yet, to whom does the psalmist turn? To the Lord. To prayer. To faith in God.
Robber: Rapacious. Extortion. Thievery. Someone who covets what isn’t theirs and takes it by illegal and immoral means.
Do we lie on our income taxes? We have stolen what isn’t ours.
Do we use time at work for personal business (other than our allotted breaks)? We have stolen what isn’t ours.
Do we charge for purchases and then declare bankruptcy? We have stolen what isn’t ours.
The key to all of this are Paul’s words: . . . if he is guilty. Those of us (and yes, I’m included in this list) who have committed these sins, repented of them, and are forgiven are no longer guilty! (In fact, later, in 2 Corinthians, Paul tells the Corinthian church to restore the man in question because he has repented.)
What does it mean to repent? Is it enough simply to say “I’m sorry”?
No.
Repentance is about three things: (1) Asking for and accepting God’s forgiveness; (2) Restoring what has been taken, if at all possible; and (3) Turning around and going a different direction (e.g. never doing it again).
The dictionary gives this definition of repent: “to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life.” We become “not guilty” when we repent.
However, until a person repents, Paul gives a very strong admonition: But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty . . . not even to eat with such a one.
We are commanded to cut off relations with those who choose to sin until such time as they truly repent.
Do we do this in our churches? No. In fact, we boast about how tolerant we are of sinners, how much we embrace and love them. But, if we are not being obedient to scripture, do we truly love them or are we only loving ourselves? God gave us commandments for a reason. It’s because this is how things work best! Isn’t it about time we started doing what He has commanded?
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