Little Red Book Ministry

B. Other issues to consider
This is probably not meant to be a complete listing as you can probably imagine other gross sins that should get the same treatment such as murder or grand theft. Verse 13 of that chapter gives instructions regarding Church discipline for such an individual.

“But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:13).

C. When to resume fellowship
First Corinthians chapter 5 tells the story of a man who was involved in a gross sin that would qualify for the list above. He was involved in fornication with his father’s wife. Paul told the Corinthians in this letter to put that man out of the church.

In his next letter to that church (2 Corinthians 2:4–8), Paul instructed the membership to restore the man back to fellowship because he had been sufficiently punished by his lack of fellowship. Evidently the man had resolved his sin issue and gotten back into fellowship with the Lord. From this we can conclude that there is a time to forgive the person who sinned just as God has forgiven him. When he has recognized his loss and his need for close fellowship with the Lord and His Church, and has sought reconciliation with God, then he should be restored to fellowship with the Church.