Open-Armed Welcome (1 Corinthians 6: especially vs 17 & 18 ESV)

 It sounds arrogant to say, come away from those people, be separate from them, they are 'unclean.'  Then and only then, you are welcome into our elite 'clean' group.  

We all know what it was liked to live so exceedlingly separated during the Covid years.  Do we go back to that scenaro?

Take a look at the context of the text though.  Even parents warn their children, especially their teens who crave independance, that they need to be wary of certain groups of people.  Watch out for the drug scene, gangs and those who'd lead you astray into bad company.  This is wise instruction.

However, if we walk among certain groups of people, we will be affected by their beliefs and actions.  It could be a slow drift into them and eventually we become an 'in' member.  We have come into agreement with their core values and standards some of which could be an illicit culture.

It's a choice then, we need to personally make, just as it was for the Corinthians Paul was writing this second letter to.  Corinth was a promicuous society.

Sexual immorality abounded, apparently.  There was  immense wealth and much materialism and ethnic diversity.  It was a Roman colony.  This was 'Sin City' (AI Overview).

The higher up Roman elites let it be known they were 'elite'.  They condescended upon those they considered beneath them.  This early Corinthian church had representatives from across this stratification.

Due to his tent making, often considered, awnings, made for, for example, hawker stalls  at the Roman games, Paul got to rub shoulders with a cross-section of the diverse crowds.  He knew the temptations that could come ones way.  He knew the city vibes.

He knew he should not linger, loiter or mingle.  He should be in the world but not of it.  He knew what he was talking about and therefore taught these believers to

 "be separate".

Separate from the uncleaness and lures of their society from which they had been rescued by Jesus.  Old habits needed to die, old influences relinquished and the new creation in Christ had to grow.

The way to do so was to ...

"Therefore go out from their midst," 

Paul wrote, 

"and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you ..." (2 Corinthians 6:17 ESV).

That society had been their confidence, their benefactor of sorts.  But now, if they'd be separate from all that, the Lord Almighty promised to be a father to them.  He'd be their protector.  And he'd welcome them.

It's so nice to be welcomed by someone.  An open-armed welcome is so sweet.  May each of us too, have this experience as we keep ourselves separate from unclean things - the things that would taint our Christian behavior, walk and talk.

Then we can go out and sincerely preach the gospel with pure hearts and minds, remembering we are Almighty God's sons and daughters.  Let's be holy as He is holy (see 1 Peter 1:15).

                                                ~  ERC  June 2026  ~

Based on 2 Corinthians 6: especially vs 17 & 18 ESV.

Sing, Holy, Holy , Holy, Lord God Almighty, along with Chet Valley Hymns and Songs.

Photo Credits:  Jane Koh.