Standards

In a big way, the word “standards” is a nice singular theme of the New Testament. When Jesus came, His teachings raised the standards of how people were living. Almost the entirety of the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus raising the standards. Adultery was now looking at a woman with lust. You had to commit murder to be subject to judgment, but Jesus said if you are even angry with someone then you’re subject to judgement. In his letters to the early church, Paul continued setting and raising the standards.

“When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-11)

Standard raised. Paul made it clear that he was not saying we should avoid all people who indulge in sexual sin, just those who are hypocritical liars because they claim they belong to the faith and yet still choose their sin. Paul’s suggested standard for the people of the church of Corinth was to not associate with believers who were indulging in sexual sin, who were greedy, who were worshipping idols, who were abusive, who got drunk, or who cheated people. Does the first-world American church meet the standards set for the church in the New Testament? It seems more common for excuses to be made for believers acting in such ways. “Well, everyone sins. No one is perfect. He’s going through a lot right now. We just need to love them.” I wonder if our constant “love” is coming off as passive acceptance of the sin our church members are continuing to live in. Paul seemed to suggest what we would call today the “tough love” approach. For instance, this was Paul’s recommendation for the handling of a man who was sleeping with his father’s wife:

“Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.” (1 Corinthians 5:5)

Unless sin is dealt with seriously, it won’t be taken seriously. Today, people would call this behavior extreme and unloving, but the most unloving thing to do is to let someone continue living in sin, thinking they are saved, only for them to find out when it’s too late that Jesus never knew them because they never gave up their sin. Those opposed to this will ask, “who are we to judge?” Paul answered that, too.

“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, ‘You must remove the evil person from among you.’” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13)

You are Christians, followers of the Way. We shouldn’t hold non-believers to our standards, but we definitely should hold believers to them. Otherwise, what’s the point of the standards if no one is ever held accountable to them?! The first-world American church is doomed if it will not hold its members, the body of Christ, accountable for living their lives in alignment with their profession of faith. The standards have been set not by us, but by Christ. Are we going to hold each other accountable to them or let each other die in our sins?

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.