The Name of Brother

3/20/2016

1 Corinthians 5.11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. – St. Paul

Well, that narrows the playing field – at least in our time. I think this is one of those verses that gets completely taken out of context at best and completely ignored at the least. Our behavior matters in the Body of Christ. And we are to self-manage as individuals, and as a group of believers. Who are we when no one is looking?

There is an expectation in the family of God, that we escape the ways of the world. That’s not to feign escape: it’s to escape! But the inference here also, is we’re to watch out for one another and do what is necessary to keep each other from the behaviors that plague mankind, and tarnish the Church. And it is expected that the Church do what is necessary to keep the ways of the world from invading her. So that means, we have to keep an eye on each other, and we have to know each other, and we have to faithfully correct one another when untoward behavior is discovered.

I remember when a guy in leadership at my church left his wife (and children) for another woman. I remember as a group of elders and leaders confronting the behavior and demanding repentance. I remember the heartache of asking him to leave the fellowship. I remember he simply left the church and went to another where he was accepted. I thought: that’s America. What do we do as individuals when someone does what isn’t accepted and won’t quit; and what do we do as churches? In America?

And, oh my gosh, what about the secret sins – internet porn, inappropriate private behavior, and the like? Paul was aghast that the Corinthians had accepted such; what would he think of us today? What does God think of us today? To Paul, bearing the name of brother was a big deal. He seemed utterly mystified that the Corinthians didn’t see it that way.

In Joshua 7, the account goes that the people of Israel suffered a humiliating (initial) defeat at Ai because someone in their midst “broke faith”. What about the modern church and the importance of keeping the faith? Could it be the modern church suffers ineffectiveness because she won’t deal with the brother who is guilty of sexual immorality, or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, swindler or worse? Makes ya wonder…

Father, it calls for courage, devotion, and love. It calls for dropping the pretenses and masks, and loving You with honest and unblemished hearts. It calls for keeping the faith and dealing with what we’d rather ignore or pretend isn’t happening. God, help us! May our love for each other be manifest in our courage to deal with the untoward behavior among us, and to carefully, faithfully, and lovingly correct – Amen.