1 Corinthians 5 – The Listening Plan

Devotional

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

I recently had a conversation with an individual who was struggling with interacting and connecting with a family-member who lives in what the Scriptures would classify as an “immoral situation.” They were not sure how to relate to this person and wanted to know if they should separate entirely from them. In the words of 1 Corinthians she was concerned, “should I “not to keep company with this immoral person.””

I greatly appreciated the desire for Biblical adherence in the life of this sister, but I asked her a simple question, which is also in line with 1 Corinthians 5: “Is this family-member a professing Christian and church goer?” “Oh no!” She responded with a slightly bewildered and shocked look. “I don’t think they’ve ever gone to church.”

Paul’s exhortation is clear. “Do not keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, etc.” If you were to withdraw from all immoral and sinful people then, as Paul writes, “you would need to go out of the world.”

Among the immoral and sinful people of the world, we should aim to be Christlike witnesses of grace. Beacons of hope and forgiveness to those who are lost and in darkness. Never forget that Jesus, in the eyes of the very religious, was a “friend of tax collectors and sinners.” That did not mean that He partook of the same sins as they, but He was comfortable to be around them, bringing grace and forgiveness to those who were (1) most in need, and (2) aware of their need.