I Corinthians 5:9  I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10  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.
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.
12  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13  But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Biblical separation is not optional. We can see how many Christians have been broken because they attend churches that accept fornicators and adulterers. In verse 10 we are told that we should not separate from all fornicators. We live in a sin cursed world. There are people involved in fornication that we do not even know about. We do not need to ask every person we meet if they are a fornicator.
Paul was writing to a local church. Christians cannot be involved in fornication. That is not acceptable. Fornicators must be removed from the membership of a true local church. No God-fearing person can dismiss the sin of fornication and treat that person as if that is a normal part of life for certain people. No Christian can be allowed to be a fornicator. Paul was directed by God to make this very clear to this church.
In the world there are many fornicators which our society calls ‘common-law’ relationships. It has become such an acceptable thing in our time. Paul also mentioned “covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters”. This is among those who are lost. As an example, Catholicism is still a very popular false religion. They are idolaters. We are not told to stay away from Catholics. We are told to witness to the wicked and seek to help them to be saved. We obviously do not attend their services. We do not give legitimacy to false religion. However, we need to witness to them where possible.
Those listed in verse 10 cannot be accepted in the membership of a true local church. Paul stated the only way we could possibly stay away from those listed in verse 10, would be to leave this world. That was written in the first century. We are certainly not living in a purer society today than Paul lived in. God knows what is going on. He knew sin was running rampant in the first century. He knows it is running rampant today.
The church in Corinth was a blot on the holiness of God. God told Paul to address this sin. God directed Paul to write this down for all generations of Christians to read and obey. The corruption in most churches today is a clear indicator that most churches have rejected the true God. They do not believe His Word is absolute and in fact they are not even using God’s Word. The perversions are not God’s Word.
In verse 11 Paul continued to write what God told him to write.

II Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

In verse 11 of our text we are further commanded not to keep company with a “brother” that is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. God says we are not to eat with them. We need to keep in mind this is talking of those who were members of a true local church. This person claims to be saved. He is living in defiance of God’s Word.
Many professing Christians are guilty before God for putting their stamp of approval on something that God says is not allowed to continue. We know that our secular society would never accept what the apostle Paul was told to write here. We also know there would likely be some professing Christians who would sue if they were treated the way God commands we must treat them.
Those who are saved must understand:

Proverbs 29:25  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Born again Christians must put God first. Born again Christians have the love of God in them. That love seeks to help sinners know God’s forgiveness. We cannot do that when we condone sin among those who profess to be saved. When we condone sin among those who profess to be saved, we tell others that these sins are permissible. A person might grumble and complain about these things, but shrug their shoulders and claim they can’t do anything about it. Not so. God tells those who are saved how to deal with sin in the local church.
In verse 12 Paul was directed to remind the saints in Corinth, and future saints, that he was not called to judge the world. They are already under God’s judgment.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Those who are saved are commanded to judge fellow Christians in the local church. That applies to the pastor and to all members of the local church. We cannot ignore what God says, if we are saved. How we respond to God’s Word says a lot about who we truly are.
The lost will stand at the great white throne judgment. Jesus Christ will be the judge there. The same Jesus Christ who laid down His life for our sins. The same Jesus Christ who cried out to His Father to forgive those who were scoffing at Him and mocking Him while He was dying on the cross for our sins. Yes, God’s love provides salvation for all mankind. That salvation is only applicable to those who turn to God in repentance and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Multitudes are dying and going to hell not because God does not love them, but because they refuse to accept His love for them.
Some of those reading this devotional may be living in rejection of the truth right now. You should be extremely thankful that you were given the opportunity to read this devotional. God is demonstrating His love for you and offering you another opportunity to hear His call for you to be saved today! Eventually you will run out of time. Don’t continue on this path of rejection. Trust in the true God today and know His peace and joy.
Today is the Lord’s Day. Go to a good church today. Submit yourself to hearing what God has to say. He has preserved His Word for you and I. Don’t neglect the great privilege that God has provided for you. We are praying for God’s will to be accomplished in the heart and life of each person who will read these devotionals.

II Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Pastor Bartel