Stan and I were at our usual place for breakfast and conversation about growing in our faith. Ricky had poured the first cup of coffee and taken our breakfast orders. While we waited for him to bring what we wanted, Stan mentioned he’d focused on something in his morning journaling time that he wanted us to talk about. “What’s that?” I asked.
“Associating with immoral people,” Stan replied.
“Associating with immoral people? Why do you want to talk about that?”
“The apostle Paul mentioned it in one of his letters,” Stan said, “and it seems it’s really important for the great commission.”
“How so?”
“Well,” Stan replied, “in the first instance, Paul told the Corinthians that if they didn’t want to associate with the world’s immoral people, they were going to have to leave the world!”
“And,” he continued, “it seems pretty clear that if we don’t want to associate with the immoral people of the world, we’re not going to be able to reach them with the truth of the gospel.”
“Oh,” I said, “Jesus said we’re to go into all the world with the truth of the gospel, and all the world has a lot of immoral people. Right?”
“Right,” Stan agreed. “If we don’t want to associate with immoral people, we’re not going to be of much use for the great commission!”
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Bible verses to consider:
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. 1 Corinthians 5:9-10.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, . . . . Matthew 28:19-20.
. . . repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:47.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often I tend to isolate myself and not go anywhere to tell anyone anything about the truth of the gospel and the role of repentance in accepting that truth. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in going wherever you want and telling whomever you want about the truth of your provision of every person. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you responded to the truth of the gospel that God’s provision is available to all who are willing to repent? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with going into all the world, whatever that world may be, and telling whoever lives in that world the truth of God’s provision for them? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to come to repentance, but to go and reach the immoral people of the world with the truth of the gospel. Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?