Bible League: Living His Word But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner - not even to eat with such a person.— 1 Corinthians 5:11 NKJV Not everyone in the church of Jesus Christ lives the kind of life that Jesus wants us to live. No one is perfect, but some in the church seem to live lives at odds with what Jesus expects. Some in the church who live this way may not even be Christians. In our verse for today, the Apostle Paul says we should not keep company with such people. Apparently, this did not necessarily mean that they should be forbidden from attending church services, or should be denied the fellowship of communion, but that any association that would seem to sanction their behavior should be avoided. Why? There are at least three reasons. First, it is important to keep the church pure. Although Jesus associated with sinners, He always did so on His own terms. One might say that they associated with Him, rather than that He associated with them. They received the good He had to give them. He did not receive the bad they had to give. It is important for the church to keep it this way so that its message and practice does not degenerate to their level. Second, it is important that there is nothing that implies the church promotes evil behavior. The church should be a beacon of light in a dark world. Association with people that still seem to be walking in darkness will compromise the church's witness, giving people that need the gospel the wrong impression. Third, it is important, because we can't expect to associate with people that still seem to be living in darkness and come out unscathed. When we associate with them on their terms we are opening ourselves up to the spiritual forces of evil that lie behind their actions. In effect, we are inviting them into our lives. If we continue, it won't be long before we begin to do the same things they do. Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). So for the protection of the church, the gospel message, and ourselves, we must follow Paul's command. Perhaps the pain of separation will draw them back to the good path. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingProverbs 13, 14 Proverbs 13 -- A wise son listens to his father's instruction, but a scoffer doesn't listen NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Proverbs 14 -- Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Corinthians 16 1 Corinthians 16 -- Gifts, Requests and Greetings NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God—something the law of Moses could never do.Insight This is the Good News of the gospel: that forgiveness of sins and freedom from guilt are available through faith in Christ to all people—including you. Challenge Have you received this forgiveness? Are you refreshed by it each day? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Ephesians 1:19, 20 The exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead.In the resurrection of Christ, as in our salvation, there was put forth nothing short of a divine power. What shall we say of those who think that conversion is wrought by the free will of man, and is due to his own betterness of disposition? When we shall see the dead rise from the grave by their own power, then may we expect to see ungodly sinners of their own free will turning to Christ. It is not the word preached, nor the word read in itself; all quickening power proceeds from the Holy Ghost. This power was irresistible. All the soldiers and the high priests could not keep the body of Christ in the tomb; Death himself could not hold Jesus in his bonds: even thus irresistible is the power put forth in the believer when he is raised to newness of life. No sin, no corruption, no devils in hell nor sinners upon earth, can stay the hand of God's grace when it intends to convert a man. If God omnipotently says, "Thou shalt," man shall not say, "I will not." Observe that the power which raised Christ from the dead was glorious. It reflected honor upon God and wrought dismay in the hosts of evil. So there is great glory to God in the conversion of every sinner. It was everlasting power. "Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him." So we, being raised from the dead, go not back to our dead works nor to our old corruptions, but we live unto God. "Because he lives we live also." "For we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God." "Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Lastly, in the text mark the union of the new life to Jesus. The same power which raised the Head works life in the members. What a blessing to be quickened together with Christ! Daily Light on the Daily Path 1 Corinthians 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming,John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Romans 11:16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too. 1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. Romans 6:5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, Philippians 3:20,21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; • who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Colossians 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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