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In the World

1 Corinthians 5:9-12 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. (NLT)

     Those outside the Christian community often think of Christians as judgmental, but that is totally against the word! I love this passage of scripture, especially in the New Living Translation. It directly addresses this issue of being separate from the world and judging those outside of the faith.

    The old covenant called for God's chosen people to remain separate from the rest of the world so they would stay holy before God and be able to commune with Him. The world would taint them in the Lord's eyes because of their rampant sins. But when Jesus came He abolished that way of thinking. He came and covered us all with His blood. He no longer calls us into separation from the world, but togetherness. He has opened Himself up to everyone and not just a chosen few.

    If you are looking at those outside of the faith as people to avoid, you are in the wrong. We are to be IN the world but not OF it. That means that we should be interacting with the world and fellowshipping with other believers and meanwhile reaching out to those who do not know Jesus. The difference is if we share in their sins or keep to our values like we are supposed to.

    We cannot judge those who do not follow Christ for being of the world. The real issue is when we have those who claim to follow Jesus and still blatantly break His commands. Those are the people you want to avoid. Be watchful for those who claim to know Jesus, but really do not follow Him.

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