As you read this passage this morning I want you to consider two thoughts, how did Jesus in his ministery reprove unfruitful work of darkness and what is Paul really speaking about here to the church in Ephesus. Think about it and consider this. If all Jesus ever said to a sinner was to go sin no more he talking to one that had either just experienced a miracle, or caught in the act of sin. Jesus rebuke demons, and spoke of sin through parables concerning religious leaders because of their attitudes of uncleanness. Sex outside the marriage was consider immoral. There was more sins mentioned besides sex such as foolish talking, filthiness, jesting(teasing) or coveting what others have especial another man's wife. Some these things should never been spoken of but shunned or put away. In other words get rid of sin all together and ignore, rebuke sin all together. There still a few Bible thumpers out there that to rebuke in such away that even the adults listen and heed at least in front of the christian. Yet this command of respect is only given because they earned it. The spoke the truth even when people did not want to hear it.

If as christians we are to turn from sin and walk in light, why did Christ tolerate the presents of sinners and even the sin of the adultress woman. First instead of dealing with the woman in sin, Jesus dealt with her accusers first. Then He told the woman go and sin no more, yet of all people who had the right to accuse he did not. Where is the line drawn to speaking up and shutting up. Think for a moment. When your sin makes you as guilty as adultress or when the sin of adultress looks clean compared to what you yourself did. Yet Jesus could of condemned her and he did not, beyond telling her not to repeat her transgression. Now with that said. how should we responded to others sin, first think of our own guilt and are we still guilty of something we have not yet repented to Christ about.

One more thing to think on Paul is talking to a church not the public arena. So his words is to people of faith or desiring to know about faith in Jesus. The rebuke within the church needs to be justified by what standard. One by what is happening within first the church doors and not outside the church doors in regards to what is consider things to talk about within the church and not in the church. To rebuke things that will destroy the church and what the church as a group should practice within the walls of the church so it will be practices as far as testifying of Christ outside the church. Yet when in today's society is the line drawn, when corruption inside the church is outside the church is effecting legal law, or laws of the church? It when church can no longer forgive because it is a sin both within the church and public society. There are things that are forgiven within a church and the outside world might not forgive, but it is when it is illegal to the point it causing harm it belongs in the governments hands to decide.

Paul letter to the church is rebuke within the church. To help the church to know how Christians are to act and behave within and without the church. People on the outside of the church is only under the laws of the land. When people accept neither laws they are corrupt and living in sin against our land as well as God. Can the world ever break these laws down and divide them so they understand what expected not only of them but others? Church knows we are to walk in the light of Christ love for others, but even Jesus rebuked in the temple and outside the temple. Let us examine how Christ made corrections as we study in the last week of January. To learn the difference of the rebuking in and out of church.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to walk in the light of Christ within the church and outside the church world. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study for Devotion:

John 8:10-12 KJV
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.