The Gin of Fitting In

The Gin of Fitting In


The Swamp of Compromise

1 Corinthians 5:

6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:


They were glorying, the Corinthians, and Paul was ticked off. They called themselves Christian, and they lived in the midst of debauched, idolatrous Corinth. They wanted Jesus but they did not want the reproach, ostracism and strange looks. They wanted some middle ground where they could comfortably engage with Christ-less neighbours. Be inclusive. Countenance their music and revelry and lechery. Maybe by being so winsome, some others might come to the Lord. Rubbish!

Why they even had one in their midst who was engaging in incestuous heat with his step-mother. Wow, what a perfectly “with it” bunch! And Paul used harsh words to accomplish a needed slap across their collective face. Get him out! Allow him to suffer in this muck. Pray for him in absentia. Pray for conviction of sin and turnaround. We know from the Second Epistle that this prescribed process was a success.

Now what about our Churches in bed today with the world and its songs, games, covetousness, impatience and bottom-line irreverence. Who is gonna tell them? Pastors get fired for less. Lord send a Voice or voices to call back to holy living, selfless living, unwavering attachment to the King of the Gospels and His doctrine.

2 John: 9

Note: A gin was an ancient trap or snare for disabling birds and small animals, foodstuff for a crafty hunter.