Do not Associate

Do not associate
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians states,
“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.
Think about what the apostle Paul is saying here. He makes it clear that we are allowed to associate with immoral, greedy, idolaters and greedy people who are not Christians. Who are not brothers in Christ.
The purpose of doing so would be to win souls for Christ. You cannot win souls for Christ if you don’t associate with sinners. Thus we must be willing to engage anyone who is not a Christian in conversation at the very least.
On the other hand Paul is clear we should not associate with anyone claiming to be a Christian, a brother in Christ, who is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, slanderer, drunkard, swindler.
I believe Paul said this because people that are acting like this are not Christians at all. That by associating with such people who claim to be Christians yet do not act as Christians they are brining the word of God into disrepute.
Paul makes it clear what the attributes of someone who truly knows God are when he wrote,
“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 5:22,23.
So my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus, who do you associate with.
Think of all the Christians and Christian ministries, pastors and evangelist, you associate with and support. Are they exhibiting the fruits of the spirit?
Are these people sexually immoral, greedy, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards, swindlers?
Please think about it.

Expel

Expel

“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. 
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                        1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Here is a continuation of what Paul was calling the church to do in verses 1-5 of Corinthians five.
The Corinthians misinterpreted a previous letter Paul had sent and had thought Paul was calling them to stay away from non-Christians who were immoral. Like he said in order to do such a thing we would have to leave this world.
On top of that it is the duty of Christians to win non-believers to Christ. Jesus himself sat down with sinners.
What Paul is saying here to the Corinthians is to expel those who call themselves brothers and are
“sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
He tells them not even to eat with such people.
Then he makes it clear,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside.”
It is not our job as Christians to judge those outside the church God will eventually do that.
Matthew records what Jesus wants we as Christians to do when he writes,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
                                                                     Matthew 28:18-20.
The Message to Christians is clear. We are called to live a life with a standard that is higher than the world around us. We are called to expel those who are immoral from our midst and live a life that is acceptable to God.
Think about it