Pure White Bread - 1 Corinthians 5-6

You can't read these two chapters without wondering about the church at Corinth. As you read about their "issues" you can't help but get the same impression that the world has of our churches today: These people were at best hypocrites and at worse imposters. In this church alone you have a young man comitting incest; members taking other members to court in law suits; and, apparently some of the men of the church were sleeping with prostitutes (6:15-20). Paul's concern was that they are not concerned about their purity before God. He warns them that a little leaven can affect a whole lot of bread. Using the ingredient of leaven to simulate sin Paul wants them to know that letting a little sin go and uncorrected can cause a large affect in the body. But in the midst of all of this he makes a deep theological statement about their factual position in Christ: Despite the countless sins and their open display of carnal behavior, Paual tells them they are "in fact unleavened." Meaning they are just like having no sin! (5:7). In 6:11 he goes on to repeat this truth by stating they "were" sanctified and justified. We are, despite our sin, pure white bread with no leaven - in God's eyes. God has declared us righteous and we are to live our lives in light of that doctrinal position - in a way that will honor Him. Don't let any leaven ruin our personal lump for God and His body.