Don't Shut Out the World

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 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? 13 God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."
As we approach today's scripture, we need to keep in mind part of the fruit of the spirit: temperance (moderation). Why do I say that? Because Paul is putting a dividing line down on who to associate with and not to associate with.

Paul says not to associate with someone who is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler. But to be more precise, a brother in Christ who is practicing any of these. Not the unbeliever. We are going to focus on the unbeliever today. We will deal with the restoration of a brother in Christ at another time (and yes, what Paul suggests in this scripture is part of the restoration process).

First of all if we were called to shut ourselves from contact with the world, God would have taken us as soon as we accepted Jesus into our lives. Unbelievers will and do act worldly. Many of us were in the same boat as they (the unbelievers) are. 1 Cor 6:9-11. Remember it the change in our lives through Jesus Christ that becomes the witness to those are lost in this world of lies and sins.

Does this give you license to frequent bars and strip joints so you can witness to those trapped in these sins? I know this may seem to be an obvious answer, but to many it isn't. Though all of our sins have been washed away and we have full liberty in Christ, we need to watch our step (1 Cor 6:12), what we do may indeed may not be beneficial to us nor the kingdom of God. And depending on your walk with Christ and those things of the world that cause you to ignore Christ there could be many places you need to avoid: the basketball court, the bowling alley, the shopping mall, the music store, the daytime soaps, the romance novels, etc... You know your weakness, so don't go to it in the guise of "I'm sharing Christ with those that need Him." (1 Cor 15:33).

I began today's lesson that we needed to practice moderation. We are to be in the world but not part of it. We are to overcome the world with light, not let the world overcome our light. Do not shut yourself up away from the world, but don't go where you will fall.