Inside the Church

Inside the Church

“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—  not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                             1 Corinthians 5:9-13

Here’s something I feel is sometimes missed on Christians. I’ve heard numerous sermons telling Christians not to associate with those “who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.” outside the church.
We can’t avoid these people as Paul says we would have to leave this world. In any case we are called to “go into all the world and preach the gospel.” that does not mean just to the “good People” of the world. It means to everyone especially sinners, of which we are all.
What Paul is saying here is do not associate with anyone who calls himself a believer and is, “Sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
Such a person is not a Christian and in a worse case scenario can cause others to fall into sin. Paul is calling us to expel those who claim to be Christians and are doing immoral things from among the congregation.
Paul makes special note here,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside”
When it comes to those outside the church it all comes down to Matthew 7:1,2 where Jesus states,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
                     Matthew 7:1,2.
Inside the church we have the right to hold all the brethren up to God’s standards. We have the right to correct them and if they do not accept correction to expel them from the church.
Think about it.