The modern global Church needs to focus more on internal sanctification and unity and less on making the “world” conform to biblical ideals.
God’s rules are for our own good, as God’s children (as defined John 1:12; Ephesians 2:4-10, 19; Romans 8:16, 1 John 2:29, 3:1-10, 4:7) and following them is our loving response within the context of our relationship as his children.
However, the Church needs to especially heed 1 Corinthians chapters 3-6, among other passages that warn against false teaching and “tolerating” ungodly, worldly behavior within the Body of Christ. Why?
1. Hypocrisy and disunity are a bane on the Christian testimony.
2. Although, most teachers agree, those who practice such sin will not result in the loss of a person’s salvation, their eternal rewards are burned up as through purifying fire (1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and others).
3. We (believers) are commanded to flee and not engage in all forms of sin. (1 Corinthians 5 & 6; Galatians 5:13-26; 1 Thess. 4:3-4, 1 John 2:15-17; and others)
4. This is NOT legalism, it is presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1-2)
5. We want to show Jesus’s agape love and acceptance for individuals with a call to repentance. Grace is a free gift. Obedience is a loving response. But the Church justifying and tolerating a lifestyle of sin for those who profess to be believers is totally unbiblical. (See 1 Corinthians 5:11-13)