I think what the trip highlighted and reiterated to me was the huge CHASM that exists in the fundamental mindset and vision between most believers and non-believers... And that it is
important for me to have constant fellowship with other Christians and to be
firmly rooted within a church.
Energetically, going to church and being around real Christians is so edifying
like coming into a nice warm house from harsh weather elements...Conversely, interacting with the secular world with its army of
hostile, anti-Christ energies after time spent solely with believers can
sometimes feel incredibly oppressive and dirty...like coming out of a
refreshing spring only to be thrown into a pit of muddy quicksand :( Yes, I am
THAT sensitive to the difference that such analogy is not an overexaggeration
unfortunately...
The bible confirms my sentiments...
For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what
fellowship can light have with darkness? (2Corinthians 6:14)
One thing I have struggled with a lot since coming to faith is that most
of my friends and family are still of the world and with an opposing, and at
times overtly hostile spirit. And although sometimes I just want to run away
and avoid the unpleasantness that is associating with such unbelievers, the
bible teaches that although we should not be yoked with unbelievers and also:
Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." (1 Cor
15:33)
It also counsels how to deal with unbelievers:
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to
everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents
must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance
leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their
senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive
to do his will. (2 Tim 2:24-26)
AND,
In the same way, Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16)
So this is an ongoing challenge for me. And although it is always tempting to avoid associating with unbelievers completely so that life is easier and we don't feel bad, how are we to share the Truth, if we don't brave going into the world? So obviously, we are not meant to avoid them completely...
So I cannot express enough that I am extremely thankful for the support that is my Christian family:
Bless you, Brothers and Sisters † ♥!
In the same way, Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16)
So this is an ongoing challenge for me. And although it is always tempting to avoid associating with unbelievers completely so that life is easier and we don't feel bad, how are we to share the Truth, if we don't brave going into the world? So obviously, we are not meant to avoid them completely...
So I cannot express enough that I am extremely thankful for the support that is my Christian family:
Bless you, Brothers and Sisters † ♥!
p.s The song we liked on repeat play in our car was 'By Your Side' by Tenth
North Avenue, which is a nice nice reminder that although we constantly face
rejection and trouble in the world, God is always there holding us, and that is
all we really need :)
I stumbled across your post a while back. I see in this post your zeal for righteousness. Be very careful. The evil one has had thousands upon thousands of years to mislead and fool Man.
ReplyDeleteIt is correct that you should surround yourself with those that love and worship God. But to hold contempt for those who do not is to hate God. In 1 John 4:20 it says” If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (KJV) This brother means any man, not just a fellow Christian. Remember ALL men were created in the image of God. That means any negative feeling towards any man or woman is in essence directed towards God. If you don’t think so read Matthew 25:31-46 that passage clearly shows how you act to a fellow human is also done to God.
You are right that we are not to ignore them completely, but in fact, we are not to ignore them at all. In Matthew 9:10-13 it says, “And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (KJV)
Do not become like the Pharisee who sees the tax collector at the temple in Luke 18:9-14. He is filled with Pride. Remember Pride is what brought evil in the first place. The evil one was a wonderful angel who because of Pride became the vilest demon. You can be the tool by which God turns someone’s life around, but you alone also can be the person who helps turn people away from God. If you are truly humble, completely humble then sinners will never condemned. To love like Christ is to never hate. This is very hard for us. We tend to associate the person with their actions. Whereas, God and Christ love the person and disapprove of their actions. Much as a mother or father would still love their disobeying child. If you are truly humble the sinner will feel love from you and through that love (the love of God) they may come to repentance. But if you are not humble then sinners often feel condemned by you. This leads to them feeling attacked and when people feel attacked they tend to become defensive. When defensive, people tend to close their minds and ears. Then they do not repent. It would be better in that case if they had never met you. Because this has just helped them to move further from God not closer. This is because of your pride in your belief, faith, and devotion. Those things are good but now corrupted because of Pride. Just like the Pharisee.
Now I am not saying you should never, not associate yourself with certain people, but those people are the truly wicked. Those that openly throw off God, who openly (when I say openly I mean even in private conversations between you and them) are wicked and wish to continue in their ways. To give you an example: people who knowingly hurt others by physical and mental abuse and yet revel in their exploits and feeling NO remorse or care for what they have done and wish to continue. These people cannot be helped by conversations. But these also must not be hated nor ignored. These most of all should have much attention given to them in your prayers even more so than those that are repentant.
If I have upset you or offended you in anyway by this comment I ask forgiveness as it is not my intent. May God be with you always.
Thanks for your comment. It is interesting, as the seasoned Christians my age I know typically bubble monoculturally within believers...and I understand that too because associating with people of the world makes everything "okay" and hence can easily cause a Christian to stumble...as my pastor says if you aren't influencing them then they are influencing you...I think what's best depends on the individual christian involved. Two young people I know who mix heavily in the world have both stumbled in a big way recently...and now feel far from God...
ReplyDeletep.s to give you some idea I would say my christian non christian exposure is about 10%/90% so it is very easy to get influenced in worldly ways.
ReplyDeleteI have lived in the world myself and was apart from God for a very long time. You might try reading a book called the "The Screwtape Letters". Just to see how tricky the devil can be. Also, if you want a very insightful look at someone dealing with being of the world and seeing Christianity with new eyes you also might read "The Mountain of Silence" And a very old book by an unknown author, but very good about prayer is "The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way" You can learn about one of the oldest prayers (other than the Lord's Prayer) that comes from scripture. If you would like to email me my email is latta1969@yahoo.com
DeleteMay God be with you always.
Cheers thank you will keep an eye out for those titles...currently absorbed in reading THE book itself :)
ReplyDelete