“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:1–7)
We are in those days.
How do we respond to the ungodly and immoral who profess Christ? “From such turn away.” This may seem harsh, but we are warned that, “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”(1 Corinthians 5:6) The corruption of the immoral will spread. Their ungodly attitudes will affect others.
We must refuse them the opportunity to have leadership positions (1 Timothy 3:1-13). We must refuse them communion at the Lord’s Table, and all of the privileges of membership. When they repent, and only when they repent, should they be given a place in the Lord’s church. Even then, forgiveness does not automatically qualify one for the diaconate or pastorate.
Harsh? Not at all. It is a matter of holiness. It is a matter of protecting the Lord’s church from predatory people who are wolves that seek to lead people to follow them. It is to protect the church from those who would devour the flock by leading them into sin.
On top of it all, it is a matter of faithfulness to Christ, who calls us out of sin and calls us to be loyal to Him rather than to the world and the world’s ways.

Published by JasonS