Expert: John - 2/12/2005

Question
Hi John. 1 Cor. 5 Verse 5 Please explain this verse and your view about a person that lived a life as a christian then suffered physical and mental destruction from alcoholism. If this person suffers sudden accidental death will he still have hope for eternal salvation? Are you studying to be a minister? If so, depend on the holy spirit as yuor guide and teacher. Thanks, Rick

Answer
Hi Rick,
I will do my best to answer your question for you.
From my studies of many different commentaries they all state similar understadings of the verse.  The Apostle Paul was addressing the Church in Corinth in this Epistle (letter).  Verse 5 is addressing the issue of a person who is a member of the Church who is stating that they have put there faith in Jesus and have accepted Him as savior but in all actuallity had not.  They where a false Christian.  This false Christians where being immoral and not following the laws stated by God and taught by Jesus.  By stating in this verse "Hand this man over to Satand so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord" Paul is stating that this person should be cast out of the church so that he may learn and thus come back to God so that he can be saved.  So in response to your question (this is my thought) is that yes if the alcoholism was due to a mental illness it is not fully there own doings that they have fallen away from God, but on another note if the the alcoholism was there own doing and they fully knew what they where doing than no I would not think they would since it was there choice.  And on another note I really cannot fully say, this is just my interpretation, because if you read further in other Books you can see that when you accept Jesus as your savior all past, present and future sins are forgiven.  It all depends what is in your heart.  If you still have faith in Jesus all sins are forgiven but once you throw away this faith and start not having it than you have given up eternal salvation, this is my main thought and belief.  We should never throw away our faith.  We must continue to believe, and pray and worship.
I hope this helps.  
On your second question, I have graduated from Bible college and now I am an Ordained Minisiter.  I have an online Ministry in which I do daily devotionals and weekly sermons.  My main purpose for this site is to give those who cannot go to church to learn about God and Jesus.  For example if someone has a disability and cannot get to church they can still learn and ask questions.  If you would like the link to the site you can e-mail me directly at pearsonx4@12dollars.net.
If you have any further questions you can e-mail me directly at the above address.
Take care and May God Bless you in your journey.
Pastor John