Is it wrong for a Christian to be aligned with a company who employs openly gay individuals?

by Pastor Jerry Marcellino

A: It all depends on what you mean by “aligned”. Taking your question at its most basic level, the answer is No. Why? Because the Bible is very clear about what a Christian’s relationship should be with those who live in a sexually immoral lifestyle: “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people -- not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler -- not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you’” (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). Paul is saying that Christians should never eat or associate with professing Christians (“anyone who bears the name of brother”) who live in sexual immorality (fornicators, adulterers, and homosexuals, etc.), while clearly stating this does NOT apply to “the sexually immoral of this world.”

Therefore, if someone does not profess faith in Christ and is living a sexually immoral lifestyle (fornicator, adulterer, homosexual, etc.), the Christian is to be loving, compassionate and merciful toward them (as with all unbelievers).  The goal is to reflect God’s holiness and offer the gospel freely that they might repent and trust Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). The Apostle and his new converts at Corinth took this God-honoring approach toward the sexually immoral of their city (not the moralistic, gospel-less approach many professing Christians take today) and the outcome is related to us in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “…do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Oh, there is hope and forgiveness from God through our Lord Jesus Christ for every sinner (including the sexually immoral person) who repents of his sin and turns by faith to trust Christ for his eternal salvation! Thank you for your question… For great encouragement, please follow this link:  http://vimeo.com/32400978

Remember: This column is an opportunity to anonymously ask a local pastor any Biblical, theological, practical or counseling question you desire. He will answer your question from a Biblical Worldview. His aim is to strengthen and encourage God’s people and to give clear answers to questions from genuine seekers. So, please feel free to send your questions to

Pastor Jerry Marcellino, Audubon Drive Bible Church, PO Box 8055, Laurel, MS 39441-8000