Paul gives us two important opposites to ‘study’ and then to make a decision. This is NOT a judgment upon the soul as some may think for the Apostle also writes, “But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.” 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 NASB. This is a judgment, a decision, about those who are ‘so-called’ Believers. 

Please consider these three statements, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Chapter 2 vv 11-13.

There are some among the Corinthian church acting as if they are not Believers, but ‘are they, really?’ The Apostle goes to great lengths in this letter instructing this church about the unity of the Church, the message of the Gospel, and in chapter 12 a lengthy discussion concerning spiritual gifts.

The one important foundation of this named ‘first’ letter speaks to every Believer having ‘the mind of Christ.’ Because of this, we can know who is of Christ and who is not. And the local church is not to have association with any of these corrupted souls. “I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-not even to eat with such a one.” Chapter 5 vv 9-11. There are those who are in conflict with their pastors because “you are offending our friends in this community with your preaching.” And my response has always been, “so be it.”

In chapter 11 we find the Apostle’s instruction concerning the “Lord’s Supper” which is most important in the worship of our Lord. Before arriving there we find a very strong word for the Church, “No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?” We cannot serve two masters plain and simple. Those who do so are speaking from both sides of their mouths and demonstrating who they are truly serving…his name is Satan.

“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.” Chapter 11:27-32. 

People living in sin will not serve two masters, nor can they. We who are Believers are free indeed and we serve the Risen Lord.

Jesus is Lord.