Quote:
Originally Posted by Esaias
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
1 Corinthians:5:9
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.
1 Corinthians:5:10
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.
1 Corinthians:5:11
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2 Thessalonians:3:6
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
2 Thessalonians:3:14
Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
2 Thessalonians:3:15
So how do we obey these verses, then?
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These texts seem pretty clear to me. If someone is a "brother", and living consistently in the works of the flesh without repentance, avoid them. Let separation work the cure. Be available to restore the erring when they are penitent. In other words, don't burn the bridge. Still yet, withdraw and avoid. Don't keep company with those that are considered "brethren" but living in unrepented sin. They show up for Sunday service and bring their "live-in" with them, be kind, shake their hand and be civil, but don't go eat with them after service. Don't seek them out during the week. Let the Word preached and the separation they feel from the body work the cure in them. Also, be the first to meet them at the altar when godly sorrow produces repentance. When you try to make them feel like they are a part of the church, they presume they have no need for godly sorrow.
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