We are in a time in our country where many churches are wallowing in apathy. This is why so many churches are dying. They have become apathetic to sin. Perhaps you are part of a church that is struggling with this problem. We have discussed recently at our church that each individual that makes up the church carries the church with them wherever they go. If one of our church goes into lying there goes the church. If one of our church goes into drugs there goes the church. If one in our church goes into sex outside of marriage there goes the church. If you live (wallow) in this sin like a hog in mud you are taking the church with you. That is unless the church acts righteously and conducts church discipline as scripture instructs. 1 Corinthians 5:2 NASB1995 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.
It is difficult for a church to respond in such a way simply because we have accepted the world's definition of love. Their definition is that love is tolerant. This is simply a lie from the pits of Hell. Since God is love, He defines love, and the definition He uses is found in Christ. Paul describes them this way 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB1995 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
This is a description of Christ. However, that same Christ also will do this. Revelation 19:15-16 NASB1995 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF LORDS.”
He will rule justly.
When we only act like one part of Christ's love, we, as our text says, act arrogantly. This is what our apathy looks like to God. However, when we mourn the acts of sin that our fellow brother or sister is wallowing in then God sees our love. He will then reward us with cleanness.
We, the church, must be careful not to follow a sinful brother or sister into the pit of sin. Plus we must be careful not to wallow in the sin of apathy. Paul says a little leaven will leaven the whole loaf. Translated means a little sin will cause the whole local church to die.
Remove the sinner in hopes of reconciliation and do not be apathetic. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 NASB1995 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Love Bro. Scott, in sincerity and truth