When Values Collide
As Christians, we struggle to keep ourselves free from sin and immorality. At times, especially as new converts, this means removing ourselves from friendships that influence us to sin. Yet we will never make an impact on the world if we do not befriend nonbelievers, despite their immorality. Paul addressed this issue in dealing with the Corinthians:
I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case, you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.