We were created by God to live in this world and we are to keep peace with everyone when it is in our control. But when it comes to those who call themselves Christians Paul says we are to judge them on matters of character.
Character matters to God! We are His representatives.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
We need to be very careful how we judge. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. Our own lives need to reflect His values in order for us to ascertain the moral values of someone else. In God’s infinite mercy and grace any person who realizes their sin and changes their life is welcome in the Body of Christ.
When we are without sin we can throw the first stone.
It is all about a life that is changed by the tender mercies of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Esther 3:5 (ESV) "And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury.”
Mordecai refused to respect Haman.
When we allow anger and bitterness to take up residence in our hearts, we open the door for a Haman-like spirit of rivalry to control our thoughts and actions.
Even if someone offends us, Christ in us can give us the courage to respond with kindness (Matthew 5:38-45). First 5
1 Corinthians 5:9–13
9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 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. 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” The New King James Version
Paul is not referring to the immoral people of the world (his mission field), but to those who call themselves Christians and participate in immorality. He views such people as dangerous to the overall health of the congregation since they may entice others to follow them in sin.
In Paul’s time, sharing a meal communicated that the participants shared values. Paul does not want shared meals to implicitly express approval for the man’s immorality.
Paul intends for the immoral believer to be expelled so that he may repent and then be restored back to the community. Faithlife Study Bible
Christians are called to influence the world, not run away from it. They are agents of God to carry the light of Jesus Christ into a dark world. Eating together is a key part of fellowship and closeness with others. The Corinthians were not to have fellowship with those who claimed to be Christians but whose lives were dominated by sin. The church’s responsibility is to discipline its members while trusting the Lord to judge the world. The NKJV Study Bible
Christians are to avoid familiar converse with all who disgrace the Christian name. Such are only fit companions for their brethren in sin, and to such company they should be left, whenever it is possible to do so. Alas, that there are many called Christians, whose conversation is more dangerous than that of heathens! Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
1 Corinthians 5:11 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.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
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