Read: Ezra 8:21 - 9:15, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Psalm 31:1-8, Proverbs 21:1-2

Thoughts: Paul doesn't really mess around in 1 Cor 5 and neither does Ezra.  We live in time when and a place where we chant the mantra "Don't judge me!"  And I would agree with that to a certian degree.  Romans 1 is pretty clear on that subject and so are other portions of the New Testament.  But in Ezra and 1 Cor we see a different story.  People who claim to be the children of God living as children of darkness.  There is forgiveness with the Father but there is also judgement for sin.  We love to talk about God's love, like it is a "bigger" atribute to God than His justice.  We like to think that God will over look our sin because He loves us and that we are supposed to let other children of God continue in their sin because that is what God would do.  We forget that sometimes love corrects.  I love my daughter but if she is doing some behavior that will be destructive I will stop her.  I'm not going to let her run around the house (when she can run) sticking things in electrical sockets or grabbing stuff off of the stove.  I will stop her and punish her if I find her doing these things.  It may seem "unloving" to her when I ruin her fun but in reality it is the most loving thing I can do.  We have to realize that God in love keeps us from continuing in sin, through correction from His word and from others.  We have to be smart enough to listen and learn.  We need to encourage each other to live lives that are pleasing to God and in accordance to His Word.