In some parts of
the church there seems to be a lot of confusion about who followers of Jesus
should break bread with. To hear some followers of Jesus talk, they would never
hang out with prostitutes, crooks, murderers, and sundry sinners of any kind.
These same followers of Jesus would tell us that Jesus commanded them to
evangelize the world. Here is my question, how do you catch fish if you stay in
your living room? St. Paul reminds us that followers of Jesus are known for their
friendship of the most unsavory this world offers for the sake of the Good
News:
“I wrote to 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 to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to
be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or
slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people” (I
Corinthians 5:11-13).
In the last
section quoted above, another standard is set for association with those who
claim to be followers of Jesus whose lifestyle does not match their confession:
don’t drink coffee with them. Some people have interpreted this to mean that excommunication
should be practiced in the church. This is question must be answered by every congregation.
Meanwhile, if
you are follower of Jesus make friends of those this world finds despicable because
you remember you were one of those despicable ones who was loved by the Divine
Lover.
Ronald Friesen ©
2015
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