n the last days we will find many people trying to damage the church and slander the work of the Lord, as we find Bar-Jesus was trying to do in Acts 13. Make sure to note how Apostle Paul dealt with the situation. He was led by the Holy Spirit in his rebuke with Bar-Jesus. There is a way to stand up for the church, as the Holy Spirit leads. Attacks on the church hinders the Gospel if we don’t do something about it. As Apostle Paul knew what it means to have the hand of God on his side, he used his authority and released with his words God’s hand on Bar-Jesus, and God dealt with him by making him blind. We must have a church in the last days that is pure, and is the way that the Holy Spirit wants it to be. We must know when there is something wrong in the church, and we must address it and sort it out as according to the Bible. 1 Corinthians 5: 9 - 13 9 I wrote you in my [previous] letter not to associate with [sexually] immoral people— 10 not meaning the immoral people of this world, or the greedy ones and swindlers, or idolaters, for then you would have to get out of the world and human society altogether! 11 But actually, I have written to you not to associate with any so-called [Christian] brother if he is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater [devoted to anything that takes the place of God], or is a reviler [who insults or slanders or otherwise verbally abuses others], or is a drunkard or a swindler—you must not so much as [e]eat with such a person. 12 For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]? 13 God alone sits in judgment on those who are outside [the faith]. Remove the wicked one from among you [expel him from your church]. Apostle Paul doesn’t say that we should avoid every sinner, because then we should not be in this world. He says to avoid those who are proclaiming Christians, yet lives in habitual sin. The Church truly must be clean, pursuing to be on fire for the Lord, not lukewarm. If we see a brother or sister acting outside of the Word, we must help e ach other in the love of the Lord. The Lord doesn’t ask these things of us to control us or take from us. It is for our protection, and to be able to live and move in His blessings. This is not always comfortable. The broad path is the comfortable one where people just let everything go. The church that the devil likes is the lukewarm one. Where people are just free to do what it is they want to, disregarding the true meaning of Christianity and making the Grace of God out to be cheap. Leaders are responsible for this. Leaders should say “I don’t care about the numbers, I want purity and fire in this church.” Hebrews 3: 13 But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication].  Apostle Paul is encouraging us even today to do these things. We need to look out for each other. The Lord has given us many things that will safeguard the church. Romans 12: 18 - 19 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 1 Peter 4: 17 For it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not respect or believe or obey the gospel of God? Each and everyone is in the hand of God. Judgement starts with the Church of Christ, as God’s hands is also for judgement. If there is nothing wrong with you, and you walk with the Lord, making sure you check yourself before Him and allow Him to search you and journey with you, you have nothing to worry about. As long as you have a clean conscience, you can rest in His hands.