“But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you.” – 1 Corinthians 11:17-18a

Not all worship gatherings bring glory to God. Not all worship makes things better spiritually for the participants. Paul explains how this is possible by condemning divisions within the churches in Corinth. The local church is the body of Christ on earth. A church’s worship should illustrate, celebrate, and proclaim the truth that what unites us in Christ is more important than anything that could possibly divide us.

Unfortunately, in Corinth that wasn’t happening. In Corinth, the churches were divided by wealth, social class, and favorite church leader. God wasn’t being glorified in Corinth, even as the churches were growing. When a local church gathers to worship the Lord but is deeply divided inside, that isn’t a good thing. When the body is divided that’s devastating to its witness for Jesus. This is why Jesus placed such a priority on praying for unity within the churches (see John 17). It’s a good reminder to every Christian to prioritize unity over the things the world says should split us apart.

In your own life, make sure your intentionally prioritize unity with fellow believers over preferences. Over politics. Over social status. Over financial situation. Over country of origin. Over profession. Over education. Over spiritual gifts. Over favorite ministries. Over musical tastes. Over clothing styles. Keep no list of past wrongs. Be patient and understanding. Settle disputes quickly and reconcile to others as God has reconciled you to Him. Proclaim the gospel by coming together in unity and harmony every time you worship. #FollowJesus

“‘When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.’ And he said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’” – Luke 7:42-43

Every true believer in Jesus has had his or her debt of sin cancelled by Jesus. God’s anger toward our sin was taken for us by Jesus at the cross. The just punishment for our sin was taken for us by Jesus at the cross. And yet, different followers of Jesus exhibit very different levels of love, zeal, and energy toward Jesus. Some burn with love and fire, eager to serve and obey. Others are only lukewarm and limited in their commitment. Why???

Often the difference stems from their beliefs about their sins that have been forgiven. For those who are deeply aware of their past guilt and shame and the degree to which they lived to spite God, the grace and forgiveness they received through Jesus overflows in passionate love and commitment. For those who “get it” in their head but never felt particularly bad about themselves, they’re often lukewarm about Jesus. They appreciate the benefits of being a Christian but aren’t fully convinced that they were all that bad to begin with. They’re wrong!

Hopefully you don’t think that way, but if you do, you’re wrong, too! ALL sin is rebellion against God. ALL sin makes a mockery of His authority. That includes “not that bad” sins that “don’t hurt anyone else”. That includes socially acceptable sins practiced by people who are “mostly good” like gossip, lying, envy, cutting ethical corner to get ahead, and an excessive temper. Whatever your past (or present) sins may be, they really are terrible! They really did nail Jesus to the cross. They really are your declaration of war against God. That’s true for every person on earth.

If you find yourself feeling lukewarm toward Jesus, spend some time contemplating the sins He’s saved you from. They really are infinitely worse than you could imagine! They really did separate you from God and condemn you to an eternity in Hell. Jesus really did save you from damnation! Feel the joy of your salvation. Feel the relief. Feel the delight of being reconciled to God and welcomed into His presence rather that cast out of it. Realize that you have truly been forgiven for much. Love and #FollowJesus!

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:36

If you’ve experienced God’s mercy through faith in Jesus Christ, then you MUST be merciful. It isn’t an option. It isn’t a nice-to-have feature in your future character development. It isn’t something to get around to when it’s convenient. And it certainly isn’t something to only practice when it’s easy. True followers of Jesus are merciful toward enemies. Toward those who curse them, mock them, and hurt them. Toward those who slap them, extort them, and seek to take advantage of them. Toward those who are different, scary, and shouldn’t even be near them.

Jesus was very, very clear. Sinners know how to love their friends. Sinners know how to help people who will help them in return. Sinners know how to lend money to people who are a good credit risk. Those who’ve been touched by God’s grace and mercy must demonstrate it by living lives filled with grace and mercy toward people they otherwise wouldn’t care about. And Jesus is very, very clear about what the standard is – your mercy is to be like God’s!

Does your mercy toward others match up to God’s? Does your mercy toward those you dislike match up to God’s? Does your mercy toward those who disagree and oppose you and hate you match up to God’s? Be honest and don’t make excuses about this! If you call yourself a Christian but don’t have a heart of mercy toward those you’re inclined to dislike, you probably don’t know Jesus. Beg God for mercy and then be merciful as He is merciful. #FollowJesus

“While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’” – Luke 5:12

In ancient Israel, leprosy was a terrible disease with terrible consequences. While a leper’s body decayed visibly and painfully, that wasn’t even the most miserable part of the disease! The worst part was what the Law required of anyone suffering this potentially contagious condition. They were “unclean” in the eyes of God and man. They were forced to live in isolation. To wear rough clothes and keep their distance from everyone who was healthy. They couldn’t touch anyone. Not family. Not friends. They couldn’t live with anyone who wasn’t already sick with the disease. They couldn’t worship the Lord in the Temple or make sacrifices to have their sins forgiven. Whenever anyone came close, they had to shout out, “Unclean” to warn them away. Uncleanness was all that was left of their previous identity.

This man who came to Jesus certainly knew that he was unclean. Physically rotten and unacceptable in the eyes of God and neighbor. With that deep awareness of his own dreadful uncleanness, he came and begged Jesus to make him clean. He knew Jesus had the power but would He care enough to clean the unclean? YES! With great love and compassion, Jesus did what was forbidden… He reached out, gently touched the man, and made him clean in the eyes of God and the world.

This man speaks for all of us – ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ He speaks for you. Though most of us don’t have an awful disease that makes us social outcasts, we’re all spiritually unclean from the moment we’re born. We are selfish creatures, rebellious in our nature. We routinely reject God’s will and ways to do whatever we want in the moment. Unlike the leper, our uncleanness isn’t limited to our skin – it runs deep into our hearts, minds, and souls. But Jesus can clean even our filth! By His sinless life, sacrificial death on the cross, and resurrection from the dead, Lord Jesus cleans everyone who turns to Him in faith and away from their sins.

Have you humbled yourself before Jesus and asked Him to make you clean? If not, don’t wait! Repent of your sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and ask Him to forgive and cleanse you right now. He will lovingly touch you as He touched that leper and make you clean.

If you’ve already done that, then realize this truth – YOU ARE CLEAN. Don’t let your past lie to you about your situation in Christ. If Jesus is your Lord, you ARE clean. Don’t let the people around you lie to you about your situation in Christ. If you have confessed your sins to Jesus, they’re gone forever. You ARE clean. God knows it. Do you? Don’t believe lies about your situation in Christ. You ARE clean! #FollowJesus

“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.” – 1 Corinthians 5:11

When Paul wrote to Christians in Corinth, he wrote to people living in a culture very similar to our own. Corinth was a deeply immoral city steeped in false religions, sexual sin, and greed. What Paul tells those Christians is profoundly important for us as we navigate the 21st century! What did he say? Don’t worry about condemning the sins of unbelievers. They will certainly sin and God will certainly judge them for that, so we don’t need to. With regard to unbelievers, our assignment is clear – meet them as, and where, they are and introduce them to Jesus. The Christian’s task is not to condemn or fix what’s wrong with unbelievers. It’s to introduce them to their Savior. PERIOD.

On the other hand, we must absolutely be on the lookout for sin INSIDE the church. We must never turn a blind eye toward wrongdoing by our brothers and sisters in Christ. As Christians, we share a sacred responsibility to lovingly but firmly confront sin INSIDE the church. To address earthly idolatries (politics, possessions, power, position, etc.) whenever they take root in a brother or sister’s heart. To speak into their life when they’re indulging sexual sin, holding onto addiction, or failing to live with the ethics and integrity of Jesus.

Christians are NOT to waste time and energy sitting in judgment on the fallen culture that surrounds us. Of course nonbelievers are sinning! We are to confront, judge, and if necessary discipline those who carry that fallen culture into our churches. Those who call themselves Christian while indulging, excusing, or defending sin. Too often, Christians get these instructions reversed – condemning the sins of the world while ignoring the sins of the local church. This destroys our Christian witness and defiles the holiness of Christ’s bride, the church. So, make sure your sin-detector is pointing in the right direction – toward your own heart and the lives of your brothers and sisters in Christ. With regard to the rest of the world, just go and make disciples! #FollowJesus