The Dangers Of Fellowship With An Unrepentant Backslider Series

As believers, we are called to be part of the body of Christ, united in our faith and our pursuit of holiness. However, when a member of the body falls into sin and refuses to repent, it can have serious consequences for the entire community. In this sermon, we'll explore the biblical warnings about the dangers of fellowship with an unrepentant backslider.

The Biblical Warning

In 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, the apostle Paul addresses a situation where a believer in the Corinthian church had fallen into gross immorality and refused to repent. Paul's response is clear: the church must not tolerate this behavior, and the unrepentant individual must be removed from their midst.

"Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Paul's concern is not just about the individual's sin, but about the potential for that sin to spread to others in the church. When we fellowship with someone who is unrepentantly sinning, we risk being influenced by their behavior and attitudes.

The Danger of Leaven

In Galatians 5:9, Paul uses the metaphor of leaven to describe the way sin can spread in a community:

"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."

Just as a small amount of yeast can cause an entire loaf of bread to rise, a single unrepentant sinner can have a disproportionate impact on the entire church. When we allow unrepentant sinners to remain in our midst, we risk allowing the "leaven" of sin to spread and infect others.

The Importance of Church Discipline

In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus teaches us about the importance of church discipline in dealing with unrepentant sinners. When a believer sins and refuses to repent, the church has a responsibility to confront them and, if necessary, remove them from fellowship.

"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." (Matthew 18:15)

Church discipline is not about punishing the sinner, but about protecting the church from the influence of sin and encouraging the sinner to repent and return to a right relationship with God.

Conclusion

Fellowship with an unrepentant backslider is a serious threat to the health and unity of the body of Christ. As believers, we must take seriously the biblical warnings about the dangers of tolerating sin in our midst. By practicing church discipline and removing unrepentant sinners from our fellowship, we can protect the church from the influence of sin and promote a culture of holiness and repentance.