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NASB | 1 Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 5:12 For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]? |
Bible Question:
Makarios,perhaps you are aware that Bill Hybles and the Willowcreek Church have what is called a "Seeker" service and have a "Followers" service on Wed. evenings. Might not many of the "Seekers" still be "living in sin"? My guess is that several of the "seekers" in this church are living together and not married. What effect would this scene have on them? Would it drive "Seekers" away from the Church, before they become born again "Followers"? I am not disagreeing with you. These questions have been asked of me concerning this situation. |
Bible Answer: Newoldstock, It would help to gain a better understanding of what a "seeker" is.. Are these newborn Christians or claim to be Christians? If so, then we need to examine what sin is, and then examine their lifestyle.. What is sin? "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." [James 4:17, NIV] Does God know about sin? "For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps. There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves." [Job 34:21-22, NASB (Luke 12:2-3)] What does sin do to us? "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." [Isaiah 59:1-2, NKJV] Sin separates us from God. What is marriage? "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." [Gen. 2:24, KJV, also compare 1 Cor. 6:16] Is a marriage "binding", as in a contract? Yes! And I base this answer on Proverbs 19:14, Amos 3:3, Matthew 5:31-33, Matthew 19:3-9. Therefore, if there are any Christians (man and woman) who are living together and having consentual sex with each other, but who have not been married or are bound to each other by the vows specified in marriage, then yes, they are living in sin. And if they are Christians (or claim to be), then the fact that they are living in sin needs to be made clear to them, so they can repent. But, if they decide rather to live in their sin then to repent, (and never come back) then they are still in darkness, and need to be saved. "And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God." [John 3:19-21, ESV] In conclusion, if those "seekers" are indeed seeking the Gospel message, then they will repent of their sins. Marriage (or having a mate) is something that is inferior to our duty to God (Deut. 13:6-10; Matt. 19:29; Luke 14:26). So, if they reject the Gospel message on account that it doesn't sit favorably with their lifestyle, then they are willingly choosing to live in darkness rather than turning to the One who has the Power to cleanse them of every sin and save their souls. I gaurantee that you will weed out those "seekers" who are really serious about following the Lord, and those who are comfortable in their sin by revealing to them the fact of the matter: that they are, in fact, living in sin, if they are living with someone (and having consentual sexual relations) outside of the bounds of marriage. And whether or not they come back and/or become members should hinge upon how they respond to this revelation and repent of it, if they are indeed guilty of it. Blessings to you, Makarios |