It’s common to hear of those in the religious world willingly accepting sinful practices in their fellowship.  “After all,” they say, “It’s important that we be an inclusive group, not leaving anyone out.” This attitude is especially common when it comes to accepting homosexual marriages or ordaining homosexual preachers.

In I Corinthians 5, there was fornication among the church at Corinth.  Paul said the church should have mourned over the situation.  In verse 9, Paul wrote the church was not to keep company with fornicators.  Now notice from I Corinthians 5:11-13, “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.  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without?  Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth.  Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

What’s the lesson for us?  We cannot exclude what God has included.  Neither can we include what God has excluded.  God loves all men.  Christ died for everyone.  He wants all men to be saved.  But one thing is certain, when we refuse to put away our sinful practices, He will exclude us from His fellowship.