33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33 CSB)

I think this is a moral truism that we all understand. Our mothers always told us to not hang around with the wrong people. Our fathers counseled us to make sure we “ran with the righ crowd”.

In society we are typically known and defined by the company we keep. There is a social expectation around this aspect of our lives. And to be sure we need strong positive influences in our lives to keep us headed in the right direction. Without this the world can drag us down into many wrong attitudes and activities.

However, Christ was know to keep bad company from time to time. He ministered to tax collectors, prostitutes, the lame and the outcast.

While we should be cautious of the company we keep and allow to influence us, we should also take a clue from Christ and not miss opportunities to reach those who need Him the most – which is all of us.