False Love Series

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient." As I read the flow of this passage, I think that Paul is probably addressing this warning to both believers and unbelievers - - anyone who would falsely think that worldly living is no big deal and has no lasting consequences. Possibly in the churches of Asia Minor that Paul is writing there were some who didn’t take these sins seriously. There is the strong possibility, also, that there were those in these churches who were trying to convince believers that everyone has an inheritance and that there is no judgment on those who practice evil.

But don’t be deceived, friends, for God’s wrath not only will come on those who are disobedient. Notice that Paul uses the present tense here, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. I think that people whose lives are characterized by such conduct and conversation experience something of God’s wrath now. This wrath of God being poured on them is a process that will be experienced in its full expression at the end of this world as we know it.

Transition: So, (7) Therefore do not be partners with them – Because God’s wrath will overtake the unrighteous, don’t associate with them.

Now we have to be careful to understand that Paul is not prohibiting all contact or association with such people. Otherwise we could not bring them the good news or call them to walk away from their life of sin. And we would need to go out of the world altogether, which Christ has already forbidden in John 17:15 (And I think it is sad that many times we’ve treated this pagan nation as a battleground for morality, rather than a mission field of lost souls).

The Greek word here refers to participation, not just association, and the prohibition means ‘do not be partners with them’ as the NIV translates. We as followers of Christ are in a new relationship with our Lord and his people. For that reason we are not to be participants with sinners who are going in the opposite direction.

Conclusion

Some here might say, "What if it’s too late? I’ve already gone too far. My life is just filled with false love." Well, I have some good news for you: It’s never too late. Jesus told the woman caught in adultery that he did not condemn her. He told her to go and leave her life of sin (John 8:11). Confess your sin and determine that with God’s help you will follow the advice Paul gave a young man called Timothy in 2 Tim 2:22 “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” (NLT)

In his book “The Great Divorce,” C.S. Lewis gives an allegorical story about a ghost of a man consumed by lust. And in this story lust is depicted as a red lizard that sits on his shoulder and whispers seductively in his ear. When the man is bothered by this lizard on his shoulder, an angel volunteers to destroy it for him. But the man is conflicted because he wants to hold on to his lust but also wants the lizard gone. What he is afraid of is that the death of his lust will be the death of him. He offers all these excuses to the angel because he wants to keep the lizard (even though he doesn’t want it).