Addition by Subtraction
Not long ago, one of our church members left our congregation. This person had been criticizing almost everyone you could think of. I got calls from him at various times about “such and such is doing this or that,” but I’d usually find out later he was assuming the wrong thing, and assuming things can be very thin ice to walk on. If we guess wrong, then we’ve believed the worst in that person, so I believe God removes certain members who are grumbling because it threatens to infect the whole church, so occasionally, the church adds members by subtraction. When the “constant grumbler” finally left, a couple of new people showed up, and older members starting coming back; that’s addition by subtraction. I truly believe God removed that person in the best interests of the church.
Bad Company Corrupts
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1st Cor 15:33). Rather than do those things we used to do in running with the world, we are commanded to “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Eph 5:11). If we “expose them” they are not going to like that, and they will leave you as fast as they can, but that’s okay, so “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness” (2nd Cor 6:14)? The answer is nothing, so if a person professing faith in Christ is living in sin, expose them. That may cause them to be removed from your life, which is certainly for your own good.
