A Biblical Departure
Last week we took a look at how a Christian should handle sin in other member(s) of the body of Christ. We saw that at first the situation should be handled between the individuals involved, then if needed bring in two to three witnesses, if there is still no resolution then to bring it before the church. The church does not necessarily mean the pastor or elders, instead it could be the members of the body of Christ who the situation involves. However, in today’s conflict filled world, how should a Christian handle a “professing” believer who is going against the Word of God? The answer can be found in 2 Thessalonians 3.
“6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother or sister who leads a disorderly life and not one in accordance with the tradition which you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined way among you,”
2 Thessalonians 3:6-7
One thing that is important to mention is the misunderstanding behind the word “tradition” in 2 Thessalonians 3:6. In today’s society, the word tradition holds the meaning of something that is passed down, most commonly viewed as a family or holiday tradition. Something that is done because that is how it is always done. This is not what is meant in this passage. Someone who is not acting in accordance with “tradition” does not mean church tradition. Instead this means someone who is not acting in accordance with the Word of God. The apostles were preaching the Word of God and showing how we are all called to act in accordance with the Scriptures. However, there were some who were professing to belong to the body of Christ, but actively going against the Scriptures. So how are true born-again believers to respond to one such a person?
The answer is simple. Despite our feelings on the matter, if there is one who is “professing” to be a born-again believer but their walk is going against the Word of God, then we must not associate with them. In fact, this is something that we are commanded to do. This may seem like a harsh response, but let us look at the reasoning for this. First, this command is directed towards those who are willfully walking against the Word, they are those who know the Word but actively go against it. They profess to belong to Christ but are still actively a part of the world. These people unfortunately hinder the work of God. This does not mean that God can’t still use them, after all “28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
The way these people hinder the work of God is through the eyes of man. For example, when I was in college and had just become saved I was roommates with another Christian girl and two non-believers. The other Christian was constantly going out to parties and inviting men over to our room, while doing these things she would also be “preaching” the gospel message to our other roommates. I was approached by one of our roommates who stated “I act more Christian than her, why do I need Jesus!” There is another example from a man named Anton LaVey, he would work in the burlesque shows and see the same men in the pews on Sunday. This man became known as the father of Satanism.
This is how those who know the word of God but do not follow it, hinder the work of God. They do not show God’s grace and redeeming power to the world, they show the exact opposite. This is why the true born-again believers need to refrain from associating with them. Have you ever heard the saying “The company you keep is a reflection of yourself”? This saying is very true; when a born-again Christian is around those who behave in a way such as the examples given, it makes their statements about God have less impact. Yet, this must be acted upon with careful prayer and vigilance, because God has called us to be in this world, John 17:15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” Paul later on expounds on Jesus’ teachings by detailing that we cannot separate ourselves completely from sinners. First because we still are sinners, second because we would not be useful Gospel messengers, and finally we would have to leave this world in order to separate ourselves from sin. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 “9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.” We must understand that who we are around does not influence us, but rather we influence them towards Christ. For those who claim to be Christian and are not acting in such a manner, treat them as non believers. Witness and pray for them, but do not allow them to engage as we would other believers in the communion of the Church.
In light of the examples given, it becomes clearer to see why we must avoid those who profess to be Christians but are actively walking against what the Word says. We want our walk to show who sent us, I am not saying that it is bad to have a past. We all have doing things that have fallen short of the glory of God, the difference between someone with a past and the examples given is that these people are actively working against the Word of God. They have no repentance. They fail to see the true impact that sin has on their lives. Someone who has a past of going against God’s Word, one day sees the impact of their actions and know how it disconnects them from God. They no longer enjoy being in sin.
The second reason we are to have no association with those who are actively going against the Word of God is so that they will come to see the error of their ways. We are to distance ourselves always in hope that they will return. There are times in a person’s life that when they have no one else to help them; they cry out to the only One who truly can, God. 1 Corinthians 5 gives us an example of how to act around those who are actively going against the Word of God.
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 5:1-5
In the church at Corinth, there was a man who had taken his father’s wife as his. This was something that was forbidden and was not even done among a group that was often given into sexual immorality. The church allowed this to take place and to continue instead of branding it as wrong. Paul is exhorting them to remove this man from their congregation and to “to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh” 1 Corinthians 5:5. To give this man over to Satan was to allow him to see how difficult life could be when seeped in sin. This was done with the hope that he would repent and return to God. This is the attitude that we should have with those who refuse to repent. Now eventually, this man did repent and the church at Corinth failed to forgive him; for which they were later admonished for. Next week we will discuss what our attitude should be regarding when we are confronted with the sin in our lives and the attitude we should have when someone who was once separated from the body of Christ by sin, but has now repented.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex