But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of [Christian] brother if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater [whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God], or is a person with a foul tongue [railing, abusing, reviling, slandering], or is a drunkard or a swindler or a robber. [No] you must not so much as eat with such a person. 1 Corinthians 5
This is a harsh statement, isn't it? Yet, this past holiday season, the Lord impressed upon me these Scriptures as they related to my own family members, which makes it all the more difficult. I have several family members who are not Christians, but I also have some who claim to be Christians, who claim to love Jesus, but in truth, they actually live the exact lifestyle the Apostle Paul mentions above. They are sexually immoral, they put things above God, and they are drunks and thieves. Worse than that, they are proud of it. I have come to the decision with the prompting of the Holy Spirit and these Scriptures that I will no longer be able to spend time with these particular family members. It breaks my heart, actually, but God's Word is very clear. We are not even to EAT with them! I have on many occasions tried to warn them, to no avail. Now, I will step back and pray for them.
But, aren't you judging them, MaryLu? We aren't supposed to judge each other. Take out the log from your own eye before you try to take the speck out of your brothers! Shouldn't we just love one another?
Nothing angers me more than when people say that about judging. Or whenever anyone takes one verse from the Bible out of context and then makes a doctrine out of it. So, in answer to that accusation, let me continue in 1 Corinthians 5
What business of mine is it and what right have I to judge outsiders? Is it not those inside the church upon whom you are to pass disciplinary judgment [passing censuring sentence on them as the facts require]? God alone sits in judgment on those who are outside. Drive out that wicked one from among you [expel him from your church]. 1 Corinthians 5:11-14
We are not to judge those who aren't Christians or even to avoid them, but we have every right to judge those who claim to be Christians. Earlier in this chapter, Paul explicitly tells the Corinthian church to kick out a man from their church who was engaging in immorality:
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, on the man who has committed such a deed. When you and my own spirit are met together with the power of our Lord Jesus, You are to deliver this man over to Satan for physical discipline to destroy carnal lusts which prompted him to incest, that his spirit may yet be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. v 4-5
I mention this only because the Lord clearly spoke to me about this over the holidays. These particular family members do not live nearby, which helps, but it's something that the Lord wants us to pay attention to during these last hours. I realize that those of you who live with family like this or who have sons, daughters and grandkids like this who live close by, may not be able to avoid contact. So, take this to the Lord in prayer and allow His Spirit to lead you. Sin is contagious. Holiness is not. A little leaven (sin) infects everyone in the Body of Christ! We are to come out from among them and be Holy as the Lord is Holy!
“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
Thank you for this. I was just having this conversation with my adult daughter and we must speak the truth in love, use our God given discernment and put His word above our feelings. Just because people claim to be a Christian doesn't meant knowing (and yes judging) a person by their fruit doesn't apply to them. *sigh* this is so painful.
ReplyDeleteYes, so very painful. I hated to post this actually... but I felt led. It's so hard when it's family and people whom we love. That's why I added that it's something each of us need to ask the Lord about and be led by Him.
DeleteThis is really hard, MaryLu, as I have two sons whom I see weekly for Saturday lunches. One curses regularly, but says he believes in God and Jesus. In fact, he seems to think that he will be left behind in the rapture in order that he will teach those left behind about Jesus and the Lord. LOL. The other son has a "mean" spirit and is sexually immoral, at the moment. They are my sons, and I love the time I get to spend with them on the weekends. Knowing now that I am supposed to deny myself that and let them be, is so very truly hard. I am not sure that I can. But those are God's words, and I feel I must comply in order to be counted among His daughters and sons. I will take it to the Lord in prayer and see if I may be forgiven this. Thank you for posting this!!
ReplyDeleteKathy, pray about this. I knew when I posted this that some people would have very close family members who were in this position. Some people may even be living with a spouse like this! So, please take this before the Lord and ask for His guidance. He knows you want to be obedient, but He also knows that perhaps your sons will benefit from your presence every week.... perhaps the Lord will lead you to say something to them that will help them. So, please pray.
DeleteGreetings diligent Scribe to the King,
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading the first section you quoted I was thinking : tell them 1 Cor 5:9 ! Then you did. I recently had several Christians give me the forgive line after I made a comment on the "see ouselves the way God see's Himself" line from the book the ex pastor wrote. Dont judge they say, then I give them 5:9 !
I dont associate with the people from that church anymore, accept for an occasional visit where I'm really only there for 2 reasons. #1 so I can keep my eye on what they are preaching, and #2 I have some people from there I love and want to get them away from the falshoods.
But you know there are time when we have to seperate even from unbelievers. When my youngets Daughter was little we were at my sisters house for Christmas. She has a son who is gay. Which I dont let bother me. But on this particular day he had his boyfriend over. I kept quiet, but it was disgusting me. My Daughter was sitting at one end of the sofa near me, and the boyfriend was sitting at the other end. My nephew came up leaned over him and kissed him terribly !. ( sorry if that was to graphic) I packed up the family immediately and never went back there. About 20 years ago now. I talk occasionally to this sister who I was once very close to. She has gone so far liberal. Into yoga, meditation, some wierd hot stone healing stuff. Very demonic.
1 Cor 2:15 The spiritual man makes judgements about all this, but he himself is not sibject to any mans judgement.
And James 1: 27Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
We need to tell them the truth, but once we have, if they persist in their sin, we must choose to protect our families!
One word that does not belong among church people is "compromise" ! When we compromise do we not partake of the sin by affirming it ? Stand firm on the Word, and who knows what that mught mean to someone.
Rev 22:11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him [c]be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
A very awakening and truth fulll post MaryLu. Peace to you in Christ our Lord.
Joe, so sorry about that experience at your sister's. I would have done the same. And they usually then accuse us of being homophobic or judgmental. But they obviously don't know the Word of God. I think that's the problem with most of these wayward Christians, they don't read God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to interpret for them. They just trust some False pastor. God Bless, Brother!
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