I Corinthians 5:9-11
“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people; I did not at all mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the greedy and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world.”
The Corinthians had a good sized church but was full of immaturity. That was the main reason for Paul’s writing the letter. In an earlier communication, which we don’t have, Paul told them not to associate with immoral people. He’s qualifying that statement. He wasn’t talking about unbelievers, but believers. It sounds like some were excluding everyone who was immoral, believers and unbelievers.
We need to associate with unbelievers of all sorts. That’s how we are to reach them. I would say that our connection is to be limited. When they venture into their immorality, we pull back.
We will get a little dirty by these connections. Jesus hints at this when He attempts to wash the feet of the disciples. At first Peter refuses this. Jesus gives an explanation in John 13:10, ‘Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet; otherwise he is completely clean. And you are clean—but not all of you.”’
I can recall going on a short term mission to Hollywood. We would go out witnessing to the people. When we came back to our residence the leader mentioned that we may have seen some things that bother us. He prayed the blood of Jesus over us. Our feet needed washing.
2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us what to do with unwelcome thoughts, “We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Don’t let those bad thoughts run wild in our minds. More ways our feet get washed.
Let’s transition to what Paul was talking about, not to associate with believers who are living immorally. I had a friend in my twenties who was a strong believer. However he began to adopt some unscriptural beliefs. We talked about it. These weren’t gray area topics, but ones that Paul says will keep us out of heaven. I told him that I could no longer hang out with him because of this. He accepted this and we’ve gone our separate ways ever since.
We were living in different states, so the impact wasn’t as strong as if we were going to the same church. This action has come to my attention on occasion over the years. There was some wrestling with it. I kept coming back to it being the right thing to do.
There was one in the Corinthian church that Paul told them to turn out. He was also living immorally. Paul’s next letter speaks of how they did act accordingly. Their actions had the intended results. The believer did repent. Paul told them to invite him back. He says to them in 2 Corinthians 2:6,7, “For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.”
Lord, thank You for Your Word. You teach us how to remain orderly in the church. There is discomfort there. You help us with confidence and gentleness. Help us to balance our time with unbelievers, so we can share with them the hope You give us, but to pull back so we don’t fall into temptation.