Christian Cooperation and Separation - John R Rice

Christian Cooperation and Separation
God, he might stay in. But if it becomes a matter of strife and
he cannot stay in without some compromise or division and
strife, then by all means he should come out.
I am saying that Christ and the Bible are the center.
Now then, would you go along with people you differ with?
Yes, if the difference is on minor things, but not on whether
the Bible is true, not on whether Christ is born of a virgin, not
on whether the blood of Jesus paid for sins, not on whether
Jesus rose again, not on whether you need to be born again. On
certain essentials about Christ, salvation, the Person and work
of Christ, there is no room for difference, no room for
cooperation when people differ on the main things.
We Are Not to Fellowship With Christians Who
Continue in Gross Sin nor Who Strive and Divide
About Lesser Matters
I mention two restrictions here. We are not to fellowship
with Christians who do not live like Christians. I can only read
the Scripture without much time to discuss it, but in I
Corinthians, chapter 5, Paul says there a man is living in sin
with his stepmother. He has brought disgrace, and these
Christians have taken sides with him. Now he said, “In the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered
together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord
Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the
destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved....”
He said, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may
be a new lump.” Then down in verse 13, “Therefore put
away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
14