Who do you associate with?

  Who do you associate with?

The apostle Paul writes,

“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—  not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  

But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.” 1 Corinthians 5:9-11.

I find it interesting here that believers in Christ Jesus are allowed to associate with sexually immoral people, greedy, swindlers, idolaters. Who are outside the Church. Yet are not allowed to even eat with those who claim to be Christians and are sexually, immoral, greedy, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards and swindler.

I think the reason is strait forward. Those who call themselves Christians and are sexually immoral people, greedy, swindlers, idolaters, are not true Christians.

In the book of Galatians we read,

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."Galatians 5:19-23.

As Christians especially those of us who live in North America we need to truly ask ourselves are we associating with those who call themselves Christians who are not?

Who do you associate with?

Please think about it.