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6. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?1 Corinthians 5:6; KJV. Paul responds to information about sexual immorality in the church, going unchallenged, and the believers are proud of their tolerance. Paul explains they should have been sorrowful that sin is exposed in the church and dealt with it. The verse today explains that a little yeast will leaven the whole lump of dough, as sin will not stop, but if it continues unchallenged, it will continue until it has destroyed the individual. The church is to deal with its own members, and the members, before going on a rampage, are to check themselves to see what they have allowed to contaminate their daily walk with Christ. Paul had written a letter earlier about staying away from sinners, but he revised the meaning, saying the church deals with their own, and if we are to preach Christ, we must interact with sinners, and if they do not receive the message, God is their judge, not us. The lesson: Holiness is not an option for the Body of Christ. Church discipline is not cruelty; it is love. Discipline aims at restoration. Yeast works silently, just as sin will spread through the congregation, lowering the standards set by God, and corrupting the congregation. We must live in sincerity and truth, no hidden corruption, no double lives; what you are in private is who you are. Paul acted with the authority of Jesus; church discipline is authorized by Christ and empowered by Christ. Amen.