Many Christians have fallen into the false belief that they cannot associate, be kind to, or have close personal relationships with those living in sin. Because that would mean they condone their lifestyle and in turn hinder the gospel. However, the Bible teaches that is not the case whatsoever. In actuality, the only way we will ever have a positive impact on the lost is by doing those very things. Yet, the Bible is clear that there are some sinners Christians are to avoid, and for good reason.
Before I reveal just who that one specific group of sinners is I feel I must dive a little deeper into the sinners Christians should strive to associate with. For the sheer fact that spending time with and even becoming close with those lost in sin is exactly what we are called to do as Christians. As we are called to be disciple-makers leading people to the Lord. Sharing the Gospel with them and pointing them to the path of salvation. This is not done with people who are not living with sin. Because those who are living free of sin have already been made disciples. Jesus called us to reach out into a world of sinners and do all we can to see them saved.
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
The very people God has called us to reach are those who are currently living sinful lifestyles. They are the ones who need what we have and we can’t reach them from afar or by expecting them to come to us. We must go to them, meeting them in our daily lives. Which is the very example that Jesus himself left for us to follow. Jesus was known for spending his time with wicked people. In fact, He was referred to as and even condemned for being a friend of sinners. Yet, he pointed out that those are the very people that He came to save. This fact is proven by the fact that many of those who the Pharisees condemned Him for associating with repented and experienced great life changes. Just by spending time with and coming to know the Lord personally.
Matthew 11:19 (ESV)
19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Mark 2:16–17 (ESV)
16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:9–10 (ESV)
9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.
Luke 19:5–10 (ESV)
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Jesus had an impact on the life of sinners not by avoiding them, making fun of their lifestyle, hating them, openly condemning them hatefully, or by waiting for them to always come to Him. Instead, He met them with kindness, love, and patience. Often starting the conversation with them and offering to have a meal with them. Our Lord made the effort to start a relationship with the lost. One that would eventually lead them to see that all He said was true and result in them finding salvation. The Bible calls us to follow the example Jesus set forth in His life. Which means associating and even becoming friends with those lost in sin. All in the hopes that they will eventually change their ways and place their faith in God.
Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Those who are lost in sin are just that lost. Because they do not know the Lord as we do they often don’t understand why their actions are wrong. These are not people to be avoided but people we should try to share the light we have in us with. The best way to do this is to start a relationship with them and then go from there. Extending friendship isn’t the same as approving of their lifestyle.
We know that this wasn’t the case when Jesus extended His friendship with the lost. As so many came to repentance and faith through their time spent with Him. In reality, it is showing people that despite their faults you still love them and want the best for them. Which is the very reason we share the Gospel. In fact, it is simply paying forward was God gave to you when while you were still lost in your sins He offered you salvation and adoption into His family.
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
All that being said there still stands one group of sinners that Christians are to avoid. It’s not based on what kind of lifestyle they live or the sins they are guilty of because we know that in God’s eyes all sin receive the same reward. The greedy person and the homosexual are equally guilty. Just as the person filled with hate and the person acting in adultery is. What someone has done does not determine whether or not we should associate with them because they are all able to receive the free gift of salvation from God.
Those who Christians are to avoid are those who claim to be believers but are still leaving in continued sin. Paul made this very clear in his letter to the church in Corinth. Pointing out that we cannot avoid all sinners while still leaving in this world. But that we should do our best to avoid those who claim faith but are still living lives of sin. Going as far as to say that we should not even eat with such people.
1 Corinthians 5:9–13 (ESV)
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
That is a harsh word but one that exists for good reason. Those who claim to be Christian but are still living in sin brush off essential truths from the scripture and attempt to get others to do the same. By associating with such people even the best believers can easily be convinced to give in to the temptations of sin. Believing that it’s okay to do certain things the Bible speaks against because so does this other person and they still believe in God. When the Bible is clear that those who live sinful lifestyles will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
The Bible tells of the dangers that exist when even trying to rescue another from sin. Warning those who attempt to help a fallen believer to be careful so they too are not tempted to commit the very same sins. Making it clear just how easy it is to slip back into a sinful lifestyle. If it is dangerous to even help another believer out of sin how much more dangerous is it to become close with those who claim faith yet still live as though they are lost. You may think your faith is strong enough to not be pulled down by the sins of another, but the Bible has a word for you too. Take heed lest you fall!
Galatians 6:1 (ESV)
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
When we see others who are in our churches and claim faith in the Lord living sinful lifestyles we should avoid them. Does that mean we don’t try to help them? Of course not, we should tell them the issues we see in the hopes they will realize their errors and repent. But if they don’t turn from their sins we must be ready to avoid them to ensure they do not pull us into the same sins.
Paul isn’t referring to those who accidentally stumble into sinful behavior, as we all do at times, and then repent when they come to realize the wickedness of their actions. No, he is speaking of those who want to live in both the world and the church. Trying to have it all, faith and the sinful pleasures of this world. Which we know can’t be done. As the scripture says no one can serve two masters. These are the sinners that Christians should avoid. The ones who make a decision to live in sin even though they know scripture teaches against it and simply don’t care because they believe it doesn’t matter.
Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
As Paul states, after calling Christians to avoid sinners who claim to be believers, it’s not our responsibility to judge those not in the church. But it is our responsibility to judge those inside the church. God will judge those on the outside, but we must remove the evil people from among us. To ensure that we do not slowly drift closer to them and further away from God.
The lost in this world need us and God has sent us as workers to reach them. Those who don’t know and don’t claim to know God should never be avoided. Instead, those are the people we should be seeking to cultivate relationships with regardless of the sins they are guilty of. All in the hope that the relationship we cultivate will eventually result in repentance and salvation. The church is called to reach the world and that means going into all parts of the world. Meeting new people, starting conversations, extending kindness, and even becoming friends with them. Just as our Lord and savior was known to do.
The only sinners we should ever make a point to avoid are those described by the Apostle Paul who is choosing to live in sin despite their knowledge of God. We of course want the best for them and want to see them turn from their wicked ways. But at times we must put our faith first and not allow the sins of others to creep into our own lives. Embrace the lost in this world knowing that they are in need of God. While keeping your distance from the sinning “Christians” who could ultimately pull you off the path of salvation.
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