It was a miserable
weekend; low grade fever, painfully swollen sinuses, runny nose, aching body. I’m
better today. Isn’t it amazing that a tiny little virus can invade the body,
multiply rapidly, and take down a grown man? The tiny thing steals the cells in the host
triggering a immune system response. In most cases, in a few days, the body has
eliminated the virus and health returns. However, if there are complicating health factors,
a virus can become serious and even lead to death!
Sin can be like a
virus! It does not take much to compromise spiritual health. A little pride can
ruin relationships. A little lust can destroy a reputation. A little greed can
consume a mind. Paul did not know about viruses when he penned this passage,
but he knew the effect on spiritual health that even a small amount of sinful
disobedience could bring about. "Your
boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the
whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch
without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been
sacrificed." (1 Corinthians 5:6-7, NIV) The key point of those lines is that just a
little sin spreads and infects.
The Corinthians
were a tolerant bunch, confusing the need to love and accept people who were
struggling with sin with refusal to call sin what it was and seek change. A man
living in an incestuous relationship and claiming to be a follower of Christ
was part of their church and nobody was saying anything to him about his
sin. In fact, the church boasted about
how tolerant and loving they were. Paul points out that just one fellow’s
refusal to deal with his sin would infect the whole Body! “Deal with him,” Paul says. He borrows a Jewish practice to illustrate
the rigor with which open rebellion must be dealt with. At Passover, devout Jews went through their
homes removing every little bit of yeast, since the first Passover was
celebrated with unleavened (no yeast, no rise) bread. It was symbolic of the need to get rid of sin
in response to God’s invitation.
When we celebrate
the renewed Passover, the communion meal, we remember that Christ Jesus, the
Lamb of God who takes away our sin, was sacrificed and gave his life for us so
that we could be saved from sin, made holy.
At Communion, we are urged by the Word to make it a time of reflection,
openness to the Spirit, examining our lives for thoughts, words, and actions
that are unworthy of a child of God. "Whoever
eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be
guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks
of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of
the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are
weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged
ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we
are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world."
(1 Corinthians 11:27-32, NIV)
Christian, do you
allow some ‘little thing’ to compromise your devotion? Is there some secret sin that you keep carefully
hidden from others, but refuse to deal with in your life? Are you unwilling to call what you do what
God calls it? It is making you sick,
stealing your spiritual vitality. It
will grow and continue to weaken you until and unless you name it as God does,
confess it to Him, and seek His power to change. "Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what
your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will
die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your
sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are
children of God." (Romans 8:12-14, NLT) Many viral sins die when we drag them into the
Light, pray about them honestly, and deal with them ruthlessly! Some require
intervention of others, being honest enough with those who love us to ask their
help or counsel. What joy when we are
rid of that ‘little thing’ to walk wholly and holy with our God.
Here’s a word from
the Word. Come, running! He’s our Savior
– from every sin. "Nothing in all
creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare
before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a
great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let
us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is
unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted
in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the
throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to
help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:13-16, NIV)
____________
In Christ Alone
In Christ, alone, my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground;
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm!
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand,
‘Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ, I'll stand.
Keith Getty |
Stuart Townend
© 2001 Thankyou Music
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
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