Paul had a teaching about this:

1 Corinthians 5:11 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.

Why is the removal of fellowship necessary? To not be influenced to sin in the same way but also to bring the person in sin into repentance.

Anything not done out of love is in itself wrong.

Because the tendency ends up being that the sinfullness in people drags a believer Down -- the other isn't usually drawn Up.

And we need to remember that This world is Not the Only world. We Do have eternity. We Need to be mingling with the unsaved in order to get to know them and share Christ with them. We Are to avoid the obvious -- in your face -- blatant sinful situations. No real need to into a nightclub and be The person that's drinking water or Pepsi instead of alcohol -- just to show those around you that You're a Good person by not partaking. On the Other hand -- if a person Had been part of that activity and accepted Christ and no longer feel comfortable in that setting, by all means, share that with those friends and let them know that you won't be doing That, but they are welcome to come to your house anytime Without the alcohol. That the group Can hang-out doing Other fun things. They are being given a choice.

Or taking your Bible into a strip club and read it while watching the 'show'. Unless you had been a stripper and were saved Out of that life-style. Then there would a desire to share your new life, interests with them. And there Have been women who did the strip scene because they earned Good money to pay their way through their education into their Real career. Well -- there Are better ways to pay your way through college.

That is why believers do need to have Christian fellowship on a frequent basis. We can help build each other Up in the faith. So that we Are amongst the unsaved in the world, we Can be a positive 'role-model' to them.

Christian fellowship usually helps our perspective.

Another subject area -- but tough-love is sometimes necessary.

It is interesting that during the times of the Apostles they never referred to themself as "Christians" it was the world (unbelievers) that called them Christians which means "Christ-like". How would it sound if I said: "I am Christ-like"?

Pro 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

And the Bible also says: “bad company corrupts good morals” “Have no fellowship with unbelievers” The time will come and they will not accept “sound doctrine “ . “A little leaven will spoil the whole lump. They will lead you astray. Today most church going members have went being “semi-pelagian” to full blown “pelagian”. The great falling away from the truth is here. We must keep “ contending for the faith that once was given to the saints of old. Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus we must sound the alarm that “the elect” of God may hear the call, for they will answer to no other. God Himself has taught us how to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The problem is the "infiltration" of "false" (Matt 7:15)(Mark 13:22)(2 Cor 11:13)(2 Cor 11:26)(Gal 2:4)(2 Peter 2:1)brothers who only appear like saints. They quote scripture (so does the Devil) they hang out amongst true believers yet are not. The light that God shines into the heart of his children is easy to see to those who see. Before I was born again there were many different people who witness to me, but the one I remember most of all never said "two" words to me. I saw God's light streaming from their lives. I knew they were a child of God by reading their life without ever talking to them. The light of God can never be hidden when that person is truly saved!

Curtis said:

It is interesting that during the times of the Apostles they never referred to themself as "Christians" it was the world (unbelievers) that called them Christians which means "Christ-like". How would it sound if I said: "I am Christ-like"?

Pro 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

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Remember also the world hated Christ, and if you belong to Christ the world hates you as well. Be not deceive, if it hated Me it will also hate you. The word Christian was a derogatory name. They did not understand, Jesus talked about eating his flesh drinking his blood. Disciples was calling one another brother and sisters. “And they said these are hard saying and they no longer walked with him”. Drinking blood, eating his body. A husband calling his wife sister, a wife calling her husband , brother. Meeting in secret. Unbelievers did not understand this they thought incest was going on. That is why they called them Christians. Christians were called “atheist “! See Polycarp.

The world will kill you, just like they killed Jesus, for telling “the Truth”. Go ahead tell them “the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life” and watch those horns start growing! Look up the Biblical word for “witness” in a reliable bible encyclopedia and see what Jesus meant when He said : and you shall be a witness about me unto the end of the world. Look it up. Remember God’s superstars are “Martyrs”

If you thought I was an unbeliever - how would you approach me?

Sue D. said:

If you thought I was an unbeliever - how would you approach me?

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I would not until I got to know you for a while, and then I would ask do you have faith?? and go from there.

They way the Spirit of God would direct me. Remember Philip, Peter, Paul, I always try to keep in mind to witness in the Spirit rather than the flesh. walk in the spirit so you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. That is how I try to do it. I have learn a lot on this journey, I have been a witness for Jesus, and testified of my conversion for over 42 years . I cannot even count the number of people I fellowship with or witness to about my Lord and savior and my Father which art in Heaven. So who knows what I might say to you as a unbeliever. How ever the Spirit gives me. I just have to be ready to give every man an answer the Hope that is in me.

Your responses are interesting.

Dave M made a good point -- relationship oriented. As people get to know each other -- they can observe the other persons' responses -- the other Might be a believer already and then there can be fellowshipping. Or they may have no interest at all and go their way.

And maybe something will happen in a person's life and they can observe how a difficult situation is being handled and see something they appreciate and can respond to it or about it. Offering a shoulder or hug in times of distress can make a big difference -- can open doors that hadn't been open before.

years ago there was a couple who were in a cult -- a friend died and the husband went to the funeral. The friend had been a believer and so the pastor had shared about his faith in Christ. AFter the service the husband went to talk to the pastor and Did accept Christ as a result. He went home and shared with his wife and she wasn't as receptive. He became a more loving, caring person but he also had to leave the cult beliefs. He faithfully came to church and after a while she Did come to visit once in a while.

And friendships Can develop in most unexpected ways.

Hi, Food for thought
As we have all sinned, we should NOT JUDGE anyone,
or one day Jesus who never sinned, the ultimate judge, will say to
YOU, I never new you, beware.
Forgive them( the whole world) for they know not what they do.
With Love, Wnl

Not only have we all sinned, we were born sinners from the time we came out of our mothers womb. And what does a sinner do? A sinner sins, because that is a sinner’s nature. You don’t teach a baby how to sin. You teach a baby how to be Good little Christian all though they are still sinners.
We as born from above Christians are to obey the Word of God . To obey the Word of God we must know what it says , and obey it and trust it. Faith means “trust” . The time is here, the great falling away, falling away from what? The Word of God. Most Christians today do not even know what the “Gospel of Jesus Christ” is. And when you ask them, only thing you can do is say to yourself is “Lord have mercy” because they think they know. Then you realise most of the time, it is not their fault but the leaders that lead them. For they are still our brothers and sisters in Christ. But those “nominal Christians” are tares and not wheat. My God said have no “Fellowship” with them, I obey my Shepherd I have spent another time with Him to know His voice, I will not follow another.

PloughBoy said:

Not only have we all sinned, we were born sinners from the time we came out of our mothers womb. And what does a sinner do? A sinner sins, because that is a sinner’s nature. You don’t teach a baby how to sin. You teach a baby how to be Good little Christian all though they are still sinners.
We as born from above Christians are to obey the Word of God . To obey the Word of God we must know what it says , and obey it and trust it. Faith means “trust” . The time is here, the great falling away, falling away from what? The Word of God. Most Christians today do not even know what the “Gospel of Jesus Christ” is. And when you ask them, only thing you can do is say to yourself is “Lord have mercy” because they think they know. Then you realise most of the time, it is not their fault but the leaders that lead them. For they are still our brothers and sisters in Christ. But those “nominal Christians” are tares and not wheat. My God said have no “Fellowship” with them, I obey my Shepherd I have spent another time with Him to know His voice, I will not follow another.❤

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Hi ploughboy,

May I ask what your understanding of the correct response ( Faith ) to the call of the Father, and if continued will result in recieving the Spirit of Christ?

When we are speaking about biblical faith in the frame of “Holy Scripture” it is speaking about “trust” it means trust in God, trust in what the word of God says. The Bible says: Faith is the Substance of things HOPED for, the evidence of things Not Seen. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV).
The world’s Faith as recorded in “Pilgrims Process” is called “vain hope”!❤ Oh yes the Holy Spirit God gives it to you it is a gift it is not earn, you will not refuse it, why, it is irrestible!

PloughBoy said:

When we are speaking about biblical faith in the frame of “Holy Scripture” it is speaking about “trust” it means trust in God, trust in what the word of God says. The Bible says: Faith is the Substance of things HOPED for, the evidence of things Not Seen. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV).
The world’s Faith as recorded in “Pilgrims Process” is called “vain hope”!❤

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That's not a correct understanding of how Faith is applied.

I like some of the things yours saying, but because you don't know how to respond to the call of the Father, that makes you exactly what your trying to stay away from.( Nominal Christians ) ?

Ok what ever you say! I know I have the spirit God in me. I know the year the time of day and where I was at in 1977. full of the Holy Spirit, and I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and will shout it out no matter where I am at! I’m a fool for Jesus! Market place on the job walked down street I don’t care! I am going to tell a story about a man name Jesus! And he is coming back, eyes like great balls of fire, 1st time he came as a saviour next time He will be a judge! And shall rule with a iron scepter! And I love Him! Because He is my God, my Saviour, my King and my LORD!

PloughBoy said:

Ok what ever you say! I know I have the spirit God in me. I know the year the time of day and where I was at in 1977. full of the Holy Spirit, and I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and will shout it out no matter where I am at! I’m a fool for Jesus! Market place on the job walked down street I don’t care! I am going to tell a story about a man name Jesus! And he is coming back, eyes like great balls of fire, 1st time he came as a saviour next time He will be a judge! And shall rule with a iron scepter! And I love Him! Because He is my God, my Saviour, my King and my LORD!❤

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But yet you don't know the correct way " His way" to have a personal relationship with Him?

The " trust" you speak of, can't begin the relationship, it can only be part of sustaining it.

So just like the ones your discerning as nominal, you've begin the process backwards. None of us have the Spirit of Christ at the beginning stages. So how can we trust in something that isn't ours yet?

Hey, what did Thomas say to Jesus and what did Jesus say back to him? And for me I didn’t choose Him, He chose me! I didn’t have anything to do with it. The faith I have in Christ was a gift, I have nothing to boast about. My salvation is a gift I did nothing to earn it. And I like it, and I am going to try to do my best and trust in Him to keep me unto that appointed day, because I am a sheep among wolves and I know a Sheep cannot over come a pack of wolves. Sheep needs a Shepherd, And guess what? The Lord is my Shepherd and....ff. Thomas you know “The Way”! The Word of God is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Shalom

PloughBoy said:

Hey, what did Thomas say to Jesus and what did Jesus say back to him? And for me I didn’t choose Him, He chose me! I didn’t have anything to do with it. The faith I have in Christ was a gift, I have nothing to boast about. My salvation is a gift I did nothing to earn it. And I like it, and I am going to try to do my best and trust in Him to keep me unto that appointed day, because I am a sheep among wolves and I know a Sheep cannot over come a pack of wolves. Sheep needs a Shepherd, And guess what? The Lord is my Shepherd and....ff. Thomas you know “The Way”! The Word of God is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Shalom

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This is where you hopefully ask right questions. If you aren't thinking of any, I'll get out of your path.