Coming Clean

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Its seed is planted, watered, and fertilized. For the first four years there's no visible growth. During the fifth year, things change dramatically. The Chinese bamboo grows a staggering 90 feet in six weeks! Why? The root system grew those first four years. Instead of up, the tree grew down and out. When we break God’s rules (this is called sin), the effects may not be so noticeable at first, but then the effects may be overwhelming. It could be called the Enron effect. Kids on drugs and alcohol; disrespecting your spouse, not showing love; flirting with someone other than your spouse; telling little lies that demand bigger and bigger lies; fostering an attitude of bitterness – these behaviors may seem to have little effect, at first.</div> <div> <I>     </I>In our culture, there are several common attitudes toward “sin” – it is no big deal, it does not hurt anyone, no one will know, or I am free to do what I want.  What is the right attitude toward sin, so that individuals and the church can be growing up and developing into what God expects us to be as his followers?</div> <bR> <div> <B>I. The right attitude toward sin is an unwillingness to tolerate it – in your life, and in the church.</B></div> <div>      In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul address a specific two-part problem and gives the solution.</div> <div> A. The Problem (Vss. 1-2).</div> <div> 1. Concerning an individual believer: sexual sin. He was committing sexual immorality with his step-mother.</div> <div> 2. Concerning the whole church: the arrogance and lack of response. They were unwilling to do something about the sinning individual’s situation. Maybe he was a leader or a wealthy donor to the church. Maybe they were celebrating their “freedom in Christ” to allow anyone to do what they wanted, as long as wasn’t “hurting anyone.”</div> <div> B. The Solution (Vss. 3-13).</div> <div> 1. (vss. 3-5) – The guilty one should be put out of the church in hopes of his restoration. The church was to pray that he would experience the consequences of his actions, so that he would be restored to a right relationship with God and the church. His untimely physical death was a possibility if he chose not to be restored to God.</div> <div> 2. (vss. 6-13) – The church should recognize that God’s grace does not mean known wrongdoing should be tolerated in the church.</div> <div> a. Vss. 6-8: Christ has set us free from sin, so we are not to willingly live in it. A little sin tolerated means more sin. Can you imagine ancient Israel celebrating their freedom from slavery in Egypt if they were still slaves in Egypt? Paul says that celebrating our freedom in Christ makes no sense if we are still living as slaves to sin and disobedience to God.</div> <div> b. Vss. 9-13: Our realm of responsibility is those who are believers. To unbelievers, we are to share the good news of salvation from sin. For believers, we are to challenge each other to holiness.</div> <bR> <div> <B>II. Six principles for the church and its people.</B></div> <div> A. The people of the church have a responsibility to help each other grow, with an attitude of grace and humility.</div> <div> B. The individual Christian has a responsibility to his or her own holiness – no one can force it.</div> <div> C. Discipline is a <I>process</I> that is designed to correct and restore, not punish and destroy.</div> <div> D. Perfection is not the issue (like when we say, “I can’t judge him, because I’m not perfect either”). We need to help others grow, and we need to let others help us grow.</div> <div> E. God’s standards are designed to protect people, because of his love. Just because we are Christians does not mean we get a free pass into dangerous territory.</div> <div> F. God’s offers his grace and forgiveness, which is followed by holiness.</div> <bR> <div> <I>     </I>Pursue holiness and obedience to God’s laws and commands. Start today. Think again of the Chinese bamboo tree - growth. The effects or results of growing in Christ may not be seen much at first, but then growth become evident to all. Don’t be discouraged at first. Start on the path toward growth in obedience to God.</div> <div> Pastor Rick Warren offers four questions to help you get started – “1.What do I really want to change? 2. What's my plan? 3. What am I willing to sacrifice? 4. When am I going to start?” Start today.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2002, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>