Today, God’s Word explains how God’s love views sin and what a Christian’s attitude toward sin should be. Today we will learn the principle of God’s love.
Devotional for Today, January 31
But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
Take Care of the People Around You
We are not capable of making the whole world better. Christians cannot destroy all the evil in the world. God will take care of those whom the gospel cannot reach. In the same way, God will take care of those who have rejected the gospel. “God will judge the stranger.”
Devotional for every day here: Daily Devotional
That is why the Apostle Paul advises us to care for our environment and community. He says: “Expel the wicked person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:13)
Attention. This is not a violation of the love of neighbor!
For clarity, let us understand the principle of God’s love correctly.
The Principle of God’s Love
God loves every human being. God loves a sinful person but does not want him to remain wicked. God’s love is demanding, saying: Go and sin no more.
God wants you to become a better person
God’s love invites and demands that we leave our sinful lives, grow and develop. God wants you to become a better person.
The Principle of Christian Love
Accordingly, your love must call, urge and demand that a person leave sin, be converted, and move in the direction of the Kingdom of God.
Therefore, the Apostle Paul’s principle is clear: Receive the repentant sinner with love. But do not allow him to promote his sin as a member of the Church.
Do not accept into your fellowship those who, with hardened hearts, serve not God but sin.
Fellowship with people who are seeking the same goal. Even more, associate with those who are more advanced than you—fellowship with those whose example you would like to follow.
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, today I pray for my church. This is the place and community where I go to worship you. I ask that you, Lord, always be present in our midst as we gather in your name. I ask that we feel responsible for our brothers and sisters. That we, as a community, help each other to achieve our goals, fight temptation, to correct mistakes. I ask for forgiveness when we make mistakes. Help us to bring blessings to each other and to strangers who come. Bless and protect us. Amen.
