Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “When I wrote to you before I said NOT TO MIX with EVIL PEOPLE. What I meant was that you are not to KEEP COMPANY (sunanamignumi: to mingle together) with anyone who CLAIMS to be a Christian but indulges in sexual sins, or is greedy, or is a swindler, or worships idols, or is a drunkard, or abusive. Donβt even eat lunch with such a person.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-11)Β
We read how evil people influenced the children of Israel, and turned them to evil, away from God, time and time again, in the Old Testament. “The fear of the LORD is to HATE EVIL…” (Proverbs 8:13) “So get rid of every kind of evil. Stop telling lies. Don’t pretend to be something you are not. Stop wanting what others have. Don’t speak against each other. Like babies that were just born, you should long for the PURE MILK OF GOD’S WORD. It will help you GROW UP as believers. You can DO IT NOW that you have tasted HOW GOOD THE LORD IS.” (1 Peter 2:1-3)
THEY COULD HAVE DONE WHAT THEY WANTED BUT, “Instead, they longed for a better country. They WANTED ONE IN HEAVEN. So, God is pleased when they call Him their God. In fact, He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:16) AND FOR US AS WELL…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham