As we continue this look at those we should not fellowship with as believers, I want to remind us of one thing. This blog was initially intended for the new believer, in order to disciple them in the way. I acknowledge that not every believer will have freedom from all sinful behavior manifested in their lives at conversion.
That being said, the following posts may convict you of sin. You may find that you yourself are on the 'no fellowship list'. Do not be afraid. If you are truly seeking after God, He will honor your hunger and set you free. Repent of sin that is revealed and ask Him to change your heart. Set your affections on Him.
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 KJV
Remember first what Paul says in verse 10. His instructions refer to the fellowship of believers with believers that fall into the categories he is about to list; not unbelievers. That is not to say that you should be hanging out in the bars with the drunks of this world, but the danger lies in yoking yourself with one who calls themselves by the Name of Christ and yet is still in sin in these areas.
We are not to associate with fornicators. A fornicator is anyone who has illicit sexual relationships. Any sexual activity outside the bonds of marriage is fornication. Sexual activity by a married person outside of their own marriage covenant is adultery. Adultery is fornication. If you are in sin in this area, you should repent quickly, be forgiven and not continue in sin.
We are not to fellowship with those who are covetous; who have an inordinate desire or greed.
We are not to fellowship with extortionists. An extortionist is one who obtains gain from others through manipulation, abuse of their authority or oppression; a thief and a robber.
We are not to be yoked with idolaters. Idolatry is when you place something else above the place of Christ. If someone is devoted to someone or something so much that it takes the place of God, they are in sin in this area. The worship of Mary above the place of Christ as mediator for us is idolatry. The Word says that we have only one mediator and that that mediator is Christ.
We are not to associate with believers who are railers. A railer is one who uses profanity, is verbally abusive, slanderous, a gossip, hateful and hurtful in their speech. If you know a believer like this - stay away. You will be like who you spend time with.
Steer clear of drunkards. That one should be self-explanatory. A drunkard is anyone who drinks habitually; even if they refer to it as social drinking. I know of whole churches where this is acceptable. I personally don't drink at all. My wife doesn't drink. We don't believe that believers should drink at all. To me, drinking is no less than idolatry. Most people I know who drink, do so in order to reach a certain mental, emotional, or physical state. No beverage can get me into a better mental, physical or emotional state than being in the presence of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the Bible tells us to be drunk in the Spirit! Cool! I have been drunk in the Spirit many times - three days ago, in fact!
If you have found yourself on this list, remember my admonishment at the beginning of the post: Repent. Do it quickly.
Next post: Broken Fellowship
That being said, the following posts may convict you of sin. You may find that you yourself are on the 'no fellowship list'. Do not be afraid. If you are truly seeking after God, He will honor your hunger and set you free. Repent of sin that is revealed and ask Him to change your heart. Set your affections on Him.
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 KJV
Remember first what Paul says in verse 10. His instructions refer to the fellowship of believers with believers that fall into the categories he is about to list; not unbelievers. That is not to say that you should be hanging out in the bars with the drunks of this world, but the danger lies in yoking yourself with one who calls themselves by the Name of Christ and yet is still in sin in these areas.
We are not to associate with fornicators. A fornicator is anyone who has illicit sexual relationships. Any sexual activity outside the bonds of marriage is fornication. Sexual activity by a married person outside of their own marriage covenant is adultery. Adultery is fornication. If you are in sin in this area, you should repent quickly, be forgiven and not continue in sin.
We are not to fellowship with those who are covetous; who have an inordinate desire or greed.
We are not to fellowship with extortionists. An extortionist is one who obtains gain from others through manipulation, abuse of their authority or oppression; a thief and a robber.
We are not to be yoked with idolaters. Idolatry is when you place something else above the place of Christ. If someone is devoted to someone or something so much that it takes the place of God, they are in sin in this area. The worship of Mary above the place of Christ as mediator for us is idolatry. The Word says that we have only one mediator and that that mediator is Christ.
We are not to associate with believers who are railers. A railer is one who uses profanity, is verbally abusive, slanderous, a gossip, hateful and hurtful in their speech. If you know a believer like this - stay away. You will be like who you spend time with.
Steer clear of drunkards. That one should be self-explanatory. A drunkard is anyone who drinks habitually; even if they refer to it as social drinking. I know of whole churches where this is acceptable. I personally don't drink at all. My wife doesn't drink. We don't believe that believers should drink at all. To me, drinking is no less than idolatry. Most people I know who drink, do so in order to reach a certain mental, emotional, or physical state. No beverage can get me into a better mental, physical or emotional state than being in the presence of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the Bible tells us to be drunk in the Spirit! Cool! I have been drunk in the Spirit many times - three days ago, in fact!
If you have found yourself on this list, remember my admonishment at the beginning of the post: Repent. Do it quickly.
Next post: Broken Fellowship
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1 comments:
Now THAT is hard core!! Love it! You should check out my blog...especially the one called "Get Stoned!" Im sure we could bounce plenty of ideas off each other! God bless you and your blogging :)
Lisa
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