So many times we christians get the idea that we are not supposed to associate with people who are not believers. We seem to sometimes isolate ourselves and feel the need to separate ourselves from those who see things differently.
I at one time felt the same way myself. I wanted to be in church every time the doors were open and I wanted to work for a christian book store so I would constantly be around christian people. Boy how my views have changed.
I have also noticed that a lot of christian people seem to have bad feelings toward those of different race, LGBT, atheist, muslim and even other christian denominations. At one church I actually saw some of the worst hatred toward the pastor of the church.
I had been involved for years in the church and around religious people. I do not want to put everyone into the same basket but there seems to be many that feel this way.
Fortunately I have had a change of mind and have come to find that separating ourselves is not what God intended for us anyway.
Jesus said he did not want to take his disciple out of the world, yet he said to come out and be separate. What was he talking about? Could it be he meant that we were to come out of the religious system and the world system and live in the Kingdom system in this world now? We know we are not to separate ourselves from those living in the world, yet we can separate ourselves from the religious and world system by allowing the Spirit to guide us, teach us and love others through us.
We know the world system is opposite from the Kingdom system. The world system is the mess we call life today under man’s rule, thinking only of ourselves, hatred, greed, worry and materialism to name a few. Or as 1 John 2:16 says, for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world.
Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within you. The Kingdom of God is love. We know the Spirit of Christ came to live within us as believers and we no longer need the religious system or a building and pastor since now we are the temple and the Holy Spirit is our teacher.
Jesus did not separate himself from those who thought differently. Rather than being isolated from those who think, believe and act differently than those of us who believe in God, I feel we should be out there around those who are different and show the love of God to them.
It is just as in our personal families, there are those who have different views, different beliefs and different lifestyles yet we love them. We are to be the same with those in this world, we can have our differences yet we respect and love them anyway.
Jesus said to love God and love others. He never said we have to agree and be the same. But we are not to treat those who are different from us with any less love and acceptance. Rather than separate ourselves and make it look like we think we are better than everyone else, we should allow the Spirit to live through us showing the love of God to everyone.
Not everyone is going to believe like we do or accept our way of thinking. Jesus never said to only associate with like-minded people. We are to love God and love others, showing them that God loves them just as much. Whether we believe the same or not we are all humans created and loved by God. We are to let the world see the love we have for our Father and for one another remembering that Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”.
Amen! A timely message for my life. I couldn’t agree more!
Kris
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Thanks Kris.
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Yes, well said, as usual! In the world but not of it, and, if I might add, not afraid of it either. Jesus encouraged us to be wise (cunning as serpents, I think it is. Lol!) as well as gentle/loving (like doves was it?). He told the parable of the wise steward, who being dismissed, bent the figures to give him favour with his ex-boss’s customers. Wow! I don’t believe Jesus was encouraging us to be liars, cheaters and stealers, but he was saying we really do need to be aware of how things operate in the world and be able to use it to our advantage. In another place he said that if we couldn’t even use what we have here (including all the world system) wisely and well, how could we possible expect to be of use in the Kingdom. Would love your comments on these passages, Jim.
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Thanks jem. I’ll have to think on this. Good comment.
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I agree with you. I enjoy the company of some of those that are in the world. There’s no pretense with them. What you see is what you get. We have mutual respect for each other. I share some things from my past that I’m not proud of to let them know I am human. I have heard Christians criticize some of the music Millenials listen to and I like some of the music they listen to. I will ask that Christian, “how do you know that Jesus doesn’t like that song?” He might be tapping his toe to the song. Some worldly people seek me out and just want a hug. We even text each other. At the grocery store in my community, there’s a cashier there that’s in her 70’s. I am 68 until December 31st. She is super religious. She sings gospel songs while she is checking customers out in line. Some of the younger employees there are drawn to her. When I walk in the store, she stops what she’s doing and says, to my embarrassment, “Oh it’s so good to see a child of God. I can recognize one when I see one and then she hugs me. My thought is, what are all your co-workers thinking that are standing right next to us and what message are you sending to the customers……that they’re beneath us or we’re super special????
Indeed, associate with unbelievers. Let them know God loves them as much as he loves you.
Great post. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
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Thank you. Yes, we can and should be associating with all people. We do not have to change or modify what we believe yet we do not have to force our views or our faith on anyone. By loving God and loving others our faith will shine through without all the words, judging and condemnation so many of us put on others. Thanks again for your comment. Merry Christmas to you and your family too.
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