Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

22 August 2025

Reading From I Corinthians 5

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”—I Corinthians 5:12-13

It is unreasonable for followers of Jesus to expect those outside the family of God to behave as though they are born again. Rather, we are to show that we genuinely value the fellowship of the believers by encouraging one another to serve the Lord in the beauty of holiness. We do this best through building trusting relationships among brothers and sisters in the faith. Trust opens the door for candid conversations that have the potential to be mutually edifying.

When we learn of someone among us who is willfully sinning, we ought to follow the pattern laid out by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17 with the caveat that if it is a dangerous situation, it might be best to bring along a brother or sister rather than go alone. The Lord instructed us “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

The next step is what Paul is referring to here in actually removing them from fellowship. It shouldn’t stop there. We ought to continue to pray that our brother or sister comes to their senses and if they do, then we are told to restore them gently. Restoration should always be the goal rather than character assassination. All things should be done in love and with the greatest of thoughtful care and compassion.

“God, I pray that we would value Your church enough to follow Your Word in these matters. Help us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with You. Give us the courage to stand up for righteousness and speak the truth in love. Amen.”

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.—Galatians 6:1