Basic Belief
When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11
One of the things that I feel most fortunate about is having a great group of friends that are straightforward with and supportive of me. They have often been my North Star both morally and spiritually. I’ve also had to deal with their struggles and be a good person they too can rely on for guidance and counsel. It is very much like it is described in Proverbs 27:17 when iron sharpens iron. It goes beyond just right or wrong. It is often for greater understanding of differing opinions. However, the fundamentals of our relationship stand on some basic beliefs that we all uphold.
We may have similar beliefs about our faith but differing perspectives. For example, one person described themselves as an old school Exodus 20:4-5 believer (You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.). Another person described themselves as a new school 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 believer (Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, boastful, or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.). Other times we will read similar verses and have differing perspectives on them. Neither view is better than the other. However, it is important that both views understand we worship under the belief as Paul stated in Ephesians 4:5 (There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism). It’s that fundamental truth that allows for fruitful discussion.
We must surround ourselves with believers who will help us stay the course in our journey of faith. I enjoy meetings within my small group not just because they help educate me. There is a genuine love for them I have, and they help me stay grounded. As I read today’s verses over and over again, I struggled to understand what the focus was on. Was it on the sin? Is keeping the church pure more relevant? Is it even on not focusing on outsiders? All of these are important, but they all circle back to relationships in each (association). It is important to be wary of the relationships we have whether they be in a small or large group. While it is certainly not condoning sinful behavior, it does not conflict with the Great Commission either. We can still reach out to those outside of the inner circle to invite them to a relationship with Christ, which gives the green light to extend to those who are unbelievers. But when it comes to those who profess to be believers, Paul is very clear and decisive in dealing with them. This is not to be overly judgmental as we should be careful so as not to fall into the category Jesus forewarned about in John 8:7b (All right but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!) However, the goal here is to focus on relationships. Not just law. And that would make sense, right? After all, our relationship with God was beyond repair because of our own sinful nature, and thus, Jesus came to restore it.
We must be very careful to nurture healthy relationships that will honor God. Whether it be honoring our spouse, family, or friends, all need to focus on being God centered such that He grows it into something that can both resist sinful nature and address it in such a way that is fruitful to that relationship with Him. As an old saying goes, none of us got here alone. Let us continually work toward having healthy relationships and associations that honor God. What relationships in your life require re-evaluation? Are your relationships honoring God? How will you address those issues when they are not? My prayer is that our relationships start with God and are built with basic beliefs we can all uphold. Amen.