1-2I also received a report of scandalous sex within your church family, a kind that wouldn't be tolerated even outside the church: One of your men is sleeping with his stepmother. And you're so above it all that it doesn't even faze you! Shouldn't this break your hearts? Shouldn't it bring you to your knees in tears? Shouldn't this person and his conduct be confronted and dealt with? (The Message)
Silent looks of disgust, quiet whispers off to the side, turning away so as not to see the obvious, these are the usual ways we choose to deal with behavior that seems inappropriate. After all we don't want to get involved in some one else's business and we really don't know the whole story. It could be that we know it is wrong but that it is just easier to talk to someone else about it rather than confront the situation directly. In all these years we haven't changed much from the people that Paul was dealing with.
Paul finds it frustrating that he has to ask why wrong behavior isn't being addressed. It sounds like Paul is concerned for the two people involved in an inappropriate relationship but also for the church as a whole which doesn't seem to care enough about one another that they aren't distressed by the situation. This is the point that is easily missed I believe. It isn't just that sin is present in the church, that is a given and will always be. The heart breaking reality is that no one in the church had a relationship with the individuals that was deep enough that the situation could be lovingly addressed. Sadly in most churches that is still true and I think it breaks Jesus heart as it Paul's.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- When the church at Corinth received this letter what do you think they thought of these words the first time they heard them?
- How might the persons involved in the inappropriate relationship heard these words?
- In what circumstances might you confront someone about something that seemed inappropriate?
- Who do you have in your life that will say hard things to you if you get yourself into a situation that you should have avoided?
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