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Week 3, day 2 »

Week 3, day 1

Inductive Bible Study: 1 Corinthians chapters 5-6

PRAY: Father, as I listen for your direction today, please show me your will that I may make it my own. Let my thoughts be your thoughts.

READ: 1 Corinthians 5:1–5

MEDITATE:
I have thought at length, as many of you have, about why God has chosen our denomination, our little band of Christ-followers, to be pioneers for theological reform in North America. My best answer: In his wisdom, the Lord is offering us an opportunity to refresh our culture with the pure message of the gospel, namely that the creator of the universe offers himself to mankind though a repentant, faith-guided life in Christ. We are his tools, privileged tools, ordained for royal use in an eternal fellowship with their maker. “Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent” (Acts 13:26).

Paul could not have permitted the Corinthians to overlook the immorality of 5:1 because he longed for this man to see his error and to return to the Lord. His instruction, that they “hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed,” is completed in pastoral love: so that “his spirit [may be] saved on the day of the Lord” (v. 5).

Questions and Application:

  1. What does this passage say?
  2. What does this passage mean?
  3. Paul already had the individual’s return in sight when he encouraged breaking off fellowship with him. Do we have a similar perspective?
  4. In a few years, when we look back on this time, will we be able to say with confidence that our response was appropriate in order to call each other to repentance?

PRAY: Make us zealous, O Lord, to administer your love and your justice in the Church; setting aside all our fears and all our preferences. Our lives are yours. Use us as you will.

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