“For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside?” Romans 5.12

New Testament Challenge, Day 27 – 1 Corinthians 1-9

I think Saint Paul makes a great point here that can be of benefit for us today especially in the case of sexual immorality. When Saint Paul said this about judgment, he had just commented in depth about sexual immorality. This tells us a very important point. The pastoral guidance and commandments in Scripture are for believers and not meant to convince nonbelievers to change their way of life.

To that point I’m sure you can think of at least once, if not many times, when during the same-sex marriage debate a Christian opens up the bible and begins to preach as if in Church. The problem is that the listeners are not believers. Why would they care what Saint Paul or Jesus Christ said about sexuality? For that matter even Saint Paul told Christians not to judge others right? And the debate continues not only ignoring the teaching of Christ but at times even belittling them as antiquated.

This is a great challenge for us as Christians if we are to take seriously our call to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. If Scripture were written for us as believers then how do we go about convincing others that God came to save us? Part of the problem is that most people don’t think they need saving. In the ancient Church, especially for those under the Roman Empire, suffering was a common experience; in that atmosphere who wouldn’t want to be saved?

Today is different, but I think the readings in today’s New Testament Challenge are perfect for addressing this issue. If WE live as God expects us to, with love for each other, then others will want to become a part of that community. If visitors to our Churches find a group of loveless, angry, and bitter hypocrites, I doubt any of them would return for a second visit. They may even tell their friends, “Don’t bother with THAT Church; they didn’t even say good morning.” If visitors meet our parish leaders and find they are living boldly against the teachings of the Church while at the same time being held up as examples, I doubt they would ever step foot in our door.

The world has enough hypocrites. The world has enough hate and back-stabbing. People don’t need to find it in the Church too. Ultimately it boils down to the message of the Gospel. If we desire to live with God then we will act accordingly; if we don’t then we won’t. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (Romans 1.18)

Who are you?