The Corinthian Church And The Scandalous Affair
The Man Who Hooked Up With His Father’s Wife
In 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, the Apostle Paul confronts the church’s mistaken approval of a man who is sleeping with his father’s wife (stepmother). The man’s scandalous incestuous relationship is known to the church leaders and the congregation. Rather than correct the professing Christian for his sexually immoral lifestyle and give him an opportunity to repent and cease his immorality (Gal. 6:1), they are proud of having accepted him as a progressive follower of Christ. Paul charges, that even the heathens don’t condone such behavior. The Apostle calls for the immoral man’s expulsion from the church.
Today the church is confronted with homosexuals who profess to be Christians while living in same-sex relationships and marriages. Several large denominations that profess to follow Christ have proudly changed their doctrines to bless and approve homosexuality as acceptable Christian behavior which it is not. Many perform same-sex marriages in the same way as traditional marriage ceremonies.
Christians, under no circumstances whatsoever are to engage in or practice same-sex relationships. It is clearly and completely forbidden by God. Unfortunately, not many believers could make a compelling case against same-sex marriage from the Scriptures because they don’t read their Bible and many pastors avoid the subject.
In my book Marriage and Sexuality by Design Christians are taught exactly what God’s word says about marriage, sex, and same-sex relationships. It also exposes and corrects the false teachings developed by same-sex advocates and the affirming church movement.
Marriage and Sexuality by Design is a powerful teaching tool aimed at equipping every believer with solid biblical truth while exposing and correcting the erroneous teachings of LGBT advocates. The Christian community must possess a sound irrefutable working knowledge of the Scriptures or face being misled into error. It is not enough to say “I believe same-sex marriages are wrong,” we must clearly understand exactly what the Bible teaches and be capable of sharing the light of God’s word with our children, friends, family, and others. We must not allow the unenlightened advocates of same-sex relationships to tell our children “your parents are homophobic ignorant religious freaks.” We must lovingly teach God’s design for marriage and sexuality.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Most church pulpits make little mention of same-sex relationships. It’s the white elephant in the room no one wants to speak about. The Corinthian church faced a similar white elephant dilemma when the professing Christian man hooked up with his father’s wife and though everyone knew, no one corrected or rebuked him. It wasn’t until the Apostle sent a firm rebuke that the church took action and corrected the man for his incestuous immorality.
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[c] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” (1 Cor. 5:9-13)
The essence of Christ’s message is to repent, be baptized, be filled with the Holy Spirit, follow Christ’s teachings, worship God, and evangelize the lost. What we are witnessing today is unrepented church members filling the church auditorium and baptistery, and then living the same unrepented lifestyle. The only part of the gospel that many will hear is God loves you, have faith, God wants to bless and prosper you, and the more you give the more blessed you will be. While all this is true, pastors that fail to preach the whole counsel of God’s word will soon be baptizing and wedding same-sex couples just as the other churches have already done and I guarantee you the congregation of unrepented professing Christians will not object.
The churches that continue to teach the truth are seeing former homosexuals repent and be saved. There are many former LGBT testimonies that praise God for delivering them from same-sex sin. There are also many others that were delivered from drug addiction, drunkness, and immorality of every kind imaginable. God is in the business of rescuing the repentant sinner.
It appears that the Corinthian church did rebuke the man for his incestuous relationship and it was effective to the point that he repented.
The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. (2 Corinthians 2:6-8)
To all who are unrepented and living in sin, please know that God loves you and sent His Son to die for your sins so that you might turn to Him in true repentance and be born again.
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be been born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior forever.
Related topic: What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality?
