Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons— not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside. "Drive out the wicked person from among you." - 1 Corinthians 5: 6-13
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Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 5:6-13, focus verses 6, and my conversion story. I realized that while my conversion to Christianity was a one-time act of Grace from God, Who had relentlessly pursued me to become His son. And like the prodigal son, I ran as far as I could from the Father's loving arms, to indulge in a life of debauchery and wanton living. Even though my salvation was secured through the blood of the Lamb, there were still sinful inclinations in my heart that needed to be pruned or burned away, like dross from molten gold.
Like what Paul had summed up, I felt like a wretched man by the inner conflict against my sinful nature, Rom 7:14-20: "For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. "
While I can't say that I have won this life-long wrestling match (sanctification process) against my sinful nature, I can safely say that I'm thankful to be covered in Jesus' Blood and my sin-stained soul is white as snow. Not by my willpower nor a virtuous character, but wholly by the Grace of God and the Blood of the Lamb.
I'll close with this beautiful hymn: "Wherever You Lead" (Fix My Eyes on Jesus), by Bethel Music. Because wherever my Saviour leads, that's where I want to be.
Wherever You Lead – Bethel Music
Verse 1
I'm done trusting in what's sinking
These boats weren't built for me
I'm done drifting on the water Of insecurity
In the noise and the distractions
In the storms of arguing
I hear Your voice calling
Chorus
And I'm gonna fix my eyes on Jesus
Walking with the One who walks on the sea
Oh, I'm gonna give my life to follow
Speak to me and I'll go
Wherever You lead
Wherever You lead
Verse 2
I'm done worshiping an image
Of what only looks like me
Surrounding You with limits
Of what my eyes can see
God, would You forgive me?
Restore the mystery
I hear Your voice calling, calling
(Repeat Chorus x2)
Bridge (x2)
Wherever You go
Wherever You lead
That's where I'll go
That's where I'll be
The moment You call
The second You speak
That's when I'll go
Step out and believe
Final Chorus
I'm gonna fix my eyes on Jesus
Walking with the One who walks on the sea
Oh, I'm gonna give my life to follow
Speak to me and I'll go
Wherever You lead
Wherever You lead
Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Dustin Smith, Kristene Dimarco, Ethan Hulse, Mitch Wong. For non-commercial use only.
Reflection on 1 Corinthians 5:6-13 by Chris Tan
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