I Corinthians 5:9 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.”
Sometimes we just get it backwards. We compare ourselves to others who have no clue that they are in bondage to sin. Obviously, we turn out looking "better" or holier than they do. All such comparison does is promote self-righteousness, and have us throwing stones from glass houses. But God does expect believers to change. Here is where we often miss the point. Hiding behind "you have no right to JUDGE me!", we miss the point of Paul's challenge. We do need to challenge one another in our spiritual growth. We are accountable to each other - not to self-righteously judge, but help each other mature. When we ignore those blatant sins that still ensnare one another, we are not showing love or grace; we are missing the point completely. God loves us and shows us Grace in Christ Jesus to transform us, together, into one new man. We need each other; we need each other in each other's business; we need to be changing. To reject such a process is to refuse the full picture of God's plan for us. To leave the body for so many petty reasons, as if we are not needed or do not need them demonstrates immaturity and ignorance of God's marvelous plan in Christ.
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