Not too long ago, I walked in the back door and smelled a strong unpleasant odor. I checked the garbage but it had just been taken outside that morning. I walked by the drawer which stores the potatoes, the smell was definitely coming from that location. I wondered what got into the potatoes to produce such a foul scent, and how do I get rid of it?
Well, it was one of the potatoes that had gone bad. There was only one thing to do so the others didn't follow suit and that was to toss it out. The rotten potato was not useful any longer. It couldn't be used to feed the family at dinner and it couldn't be added to a stew or soup; it had to go.
That is how it is in the church. Often, someone who poses as a Christian begins to stink. Their behavior does not reflect the lifestyle of one who is a believer, one who has repented and now lives with Jesus in their heart.
"But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people." (1 Corinthians 5:11)
It is necessary to remove this imitator from the fellowship. But, unlike the potato which will never be useful again, the impostor could repent, could actually learn from the experience. But he/she cannot be allowed to remain as they are now. Scripture is clear on this.
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