a simple desire

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons—not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside. Drive out the wicked person from among you. (1 Cor. 5:9-13)

It is worth pairing this passage with another’s of Paul’s:

If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. (Gal 6:1-5)

We are affected by one another; we are social creatures.  When we are in the company of good singers, we become better singers. When we are in the company of intelligent people, we become a little more intelligent. When we are in the company of the holy saints, we become a bit more holy. When we are in the company of the deliberately bad, we become a little more likely to choose bad ourselves. The church is–among other things–a group that bands together to be God’s holy family. When that purpose is controverted again and again, it becomes time to clean out God’s house. Some say the North American church has largely lost her will to not be greedy, to align herself with the powers that rob others of their justly own goods. Some say the North American church has largely lost her will to be sexually pure and mature.

But let’s put it another way: what kind of person do you wish to be? Look for a church that has a number of people who are like that, and join that church. Associate with sexual moral persons, with the generous, with those who honor God’s name, and are sober and just. Eat, worship, play, pray with such people. Ultimately each one will carry his or her own load, and we need to find that church’s fatal weakness (see my words of two days ago) and avoid it, but we also carry one another’s burdens–and joys, and hopes, and style of life.

(Note: there seems to be a bit of problem with the Sip of Scripture site today.)