Christian Cooperation and Separation - John R Rice

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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
Christian Cooperation and Separation A Christian? It turns out he was a Christian. In the next book of Corinthians, Paul said, “Now receive him. He is so penitent, has wept so much. Don’t be overmuch hard. Receive him. Now he is sorry and has cleaned up.” But do not fellowship with a man who is living in open, gross sin that brings disgrace on the cause of Christ. I have no more time to discuss that, but that is one limitation on fellowship. Another limitation is Romans 14:1, “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” Listen! You are not to run with anybody if it means quarreling and strife and division and hair-pulling and hellraising. You can say, “God bless you. But you go your way and I will go mine.” If there is going to be strife, no real unity, no real heartfelt joy and results for God, then we sometimes cannot cooperate with Christians who make strife over minor issues. They are weak in the faith, and they make an insistent division over it. A Great Gulf Makes True Christian Fellowship Impossible With Unconverted People But we are not to have fellowship with unconverted people. We may love them, but they are not Christians. We may love unconverted people, but we are not equal with them. That is so clearly taught in II Corinthians, chapter 6, and verses 14-18: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what 15
Page 2 and 3: Copyright 1959 by Sword of the Lord
Page 4 and 5: Contents Preface...................
Page 6 and 7: Christian Cooperation and Separatio
Page 28: For a complete list of books availa

Christian Cooperation and Separation - John R Rice

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