In part two of the "Come Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to separate ourselves from Christians who are unruly, meaning they are morally disorderly. (See 2 Thess.3:5-7; Matt.18:15-17)
In part three of the "Coming Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to separate ourselves from Christians who do not follow the Word of God given to them. (See 2 Thess.3:14-15; Rom.16:17-18)
In part four we will address the "Christians" or who walk in a lifestyle of sin. I know that there is a drive to fill our church buildings on Sunday morning. We fill them with anything and anyone under the spiritual reasoning of outreach. However, the very name of "church" means something more than filling a building.
The word "church" by its best definition is "the called out ones." It is a call to be separate and holy unto the Lord. Evangelism within the Word of God is always displayed as a "ya'll go" command and not a "ya'll come" command. We invite everyone and anyone in our services and then expect God to move in His glory. Don't get me wrong, God honors His Word and the Holy Spirit can still draw people to the heart of the Father in a church service, however God's plan of the holy corporate body coming together cannot be disregarded under the guise of evangelism.
3. SEPARATING FROM A PROFESSING CHRISTIAN BROTHER WHO IS IN SEXUAL SINS, COVETOUS SINS, IDOLATRY SINS, FIGHTERS OR QUARRELERS, DRUNKS, OR EXTORTION, (GREEDY, ESPECIALLY FOR MONEY, AND SOMETIMES WILLING TO USE UNSCRUPULOUS MEANS TO OBTAIN WHAT IS DESIRED. DESTRUCTIVE AND VICIOUS: ENGAGING IN VIOLENT PILLAGING AND LIKELY TO HARM OR DESTROY THINGS):
I know this list is long and would eliminate many in our Sunday services, however any grievances of this needs to be addressed to the Father because it is written in His Word. I also know that many Pastors do not want to offend people. However, we by practice find ourselves offending God and grieving the Holy Spirit so that we can be in a false unity with sinful believers. The Word says to not even sit down and eat with this Christian brother.
1 Corinthians 5:9-12 ESV (9) I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— (10) not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. (11) But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. (12) For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?