LEAVEN
Paul warns the Corinthians that tolerance of public sin in their midst can only bring trouble to the Church as a whole. He urges them to deal with the immorality of their brother not by ignoring it, but by warning him of the dangers of his unfaithfulness. Paul's comparison is to the tiny bit of leaven which can cause the whole loaf to rise. Similarly, the tolerance of sin can compromise the integrity of the entire congregation.
In today's world, the idea of "toleration" has become almost an idol for us. It seems that those who wish to speak of right and wrong, good and bad, truth and error, are called evil for considering their truth to be universal and not relative. All religions, all behaviors, all opinions, according to modern philosophy, must be accepted as valid options or we have turned to "the dark side."
In contrast, Jesus declares Himself, "THE way, THE truth, and THE life." True love of neighbor, then, is not indifference to his erring beliefs or actions, but sharing with him the truths of God.
So don't be fooled by the world's idea that "all things are good." God's Word is our standard. His Son is the Savior. And we honor Him when we speak of His actions and live according to His standards.
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