1 Corinthians 5:8 "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
Paul is telling the church here to do some hard things. Looking at the situation from the outside, it seems obvious what they should do and a bit ridiculous that they didn't do it to begin with. But you have to put yourselves in their shoes. Paul refers to this man living in sin as a "brother". That's the kind of relationship that is difficult to walk away from. Yet Paul's command was clear.
That's why this verse is so key. If we're confronted with a situation like this where separation from a brother is necessary, we must insure that our actions have their motivation in sincerity and truth. God cares deeply about relationships, after all He created them! Yet our relationship with Him always comes first. And if any malice or wickedness is getting in the way of that relationship we must purge it out.
Are there any relationships in my life that are blocking my fellowship with God or other believers? How can I deal with that situation in sincerity and truth?
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