Conflict in The Bible?

Reading through the New Testament, we can see several apparent 'conflicts,' or at least they seem contradictory on the surface. Here's one. Should Christians associate with sinners or not?

When we read Paul's letter to the church in Corinth it sounds like we are not supposed to associate ourselves with sinners.

"But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people." - 1 Corinthians 5:11

But back in The Gospels we can find examples of Jesus doing the very thing Paul spoke against.

"While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17

The Prarisees called Him on it. And Jesus answered perfectly. Sinners are 'sick' and they need a doctor.

When praying for His disciples, Jesus offered this prayer:

"I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." - John 17:14-15

Paul offered this advice to the Roman church.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

We ARE supposed to be eating with 'sinners and tax collectors.' Why? To share the Gospel with them. If we are simply partaking of their food we are 'of the world.'

And there is actually no conflict between these last verses and the first. In the first example, Paul was talking about members of the church - "brothers and sisters.' They should know better. They should repent or be kicked out of the church.

The church is for believers - those who know 'His good, pleasing and perfect will.

There are churches in the world today that are "of the world." They have sexually immoral pastors and bishops leading their flocks. And they wonder why their church attendance is down. The conflict is in their churches! And in their hearts. Their actions conflict with the very word of God. And conflict with God's will - His good, pleasing and perfect will - is not where we should find ourselves.