III. THE CHURCH IS PUT TO THE TEST WHEN SIN BREAKS OUT WITHIN ITS RANKS

For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things, verse 9. Here was another reason for writing to them rather than going to them immediately. He wanted to know where their loyalty and obedience lay. 

1. Sin in the church will test our obedience and attitude to God. Will we act against the Achan? Will we put God before friendship and, if necessary, our own flesh and blood.

2. Sin in the church will test our knowledge of the devil. Are we ignorant of his devices? If we are ignorant of his devices and tricks we will not act against sin and be negligent or else we will be too severe and show no compassion. 

Either way we would be falling into Satan’s trap.

3. Let us bear in mind that the Saviour, as in all such matters, is looking on. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ. The word person refers to that portion of the face around the eye. Paul acted with a consciousness of the Saviour’s eye upon them.