Scripture

I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worship idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

Observation

Paul had previously warned the Corinthians not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. He clarifies now that this was not about avoiding unbelievers who sin, but about those who claim to be believers but who continue to sin sexually, or are greedy, worship idols, are abusive, drink too much or cheat people.

It isn’t our responsibility to judge outsiders. God will do that. However, it is our responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. We must remove them from fellowship.

Application

We expect sinners to sin. It is the nature of sinners that they will sin. We would have to leave the world altogether to remain separate from such people. But, on the contrary, we should go out of our way to befriend people in order to lead them to Christ.

However, there is a special hardness of heart required to claim to be a follower of Christ, but still live in the old fleshly lifestyle of self- centred sin.

If a person is sinning regularly and consistently, then they are not following the way of Jesus and should not be a part of the fellowship.

There needs to be a process of discipline in the church whereby those who are living in a way that dishonours Christ are firstly shown the right way to live, but if this fails, they are excluded from the church.

This is hard, and needs to be done gently and with sensitivity. The aim must always be to restore to faith a person who has fallen.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that your love never fails. Even when we sin, you still love us. Please help me to live a life of holy dedication to you. Amen.