What are some of the laws in your area? Normal laws are things such as speed limits, drug enforcement, and so on. These laws are put in place by the legislature for everyone to adhere to and abide by.
Now what if someone that you know was actively breaking those laws and ordinances? Would you continue to treat them as though nothing was different, and ignore the fact that they were breaking the law, or would you try to convince them that they were doing what was wrong? Would you continue to associate with this person, even if it was your friend who was committing illegal acts, or would you distance yourself from them and tell them that they need to change?
With this explained, what are the laws or commands that we have in the Christian faith? The first two are obviously to love the Lord and to love your neighbor, but included in those commands are such things as abstaining from earthly lusts, refraining from lying, keeping ourselves free from covetousness, and so on. These are commands that every believer in the teachings of the Lord should keep and obey if they truly love Him. But suppose that someone you know who claims to be a Christian is not abiding in those teachings; what do you do?
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 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.
Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
According to the passage of scripture above, a Christian is commanded to have no company with those who also claim Christianity, but do not obey the teachings of the Bible. But what does it mean to keep company with someone?
The definition for “company” is quite simple. It means companionship. It also means to associate with. It is also interesting to note that some companies refer to their employees as associates. And what do companies do to employees/associates who do not follow the company rules? They are warned, and if the problem persists and no change happens, they will be fired. They will be removed from the rest of the other employees, not just as an example to the others, but hopefully it brings about a change to the person’s actions so they don’t do it again.
In the church it should be clearly obvious that sin goes completely against the teachings that are found in the Word of God. It just does not belong in the life of a believer of Christ, and we are commanded to have no company with those who refuse to obey His teachings.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
1 Corinthians 5:11 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.
If we are to keep the teachings of Christ ourselves we must obey these verses above. Hopefully it will bring about the necessary change needed in the other person’s life, but until that change happens we must obey the scriptures, and keep ourselves separate from them. The Lord is filled with grace, and hopefully they will realize their need to change before it is to late.
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 