Minister Yes Mingle No

 

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,

        “I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

        “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.  “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.  And I will be a father to you.  And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

The people of God face the question of what relationships they should have with unbelievers.  When the Apostle Paul spoke to the Corinthians about this he quoted the message to “be separate” which God gave to the Old Testament Prophets Isaiah and Hosea.

This is good advice for Christians.  There are those who want to stop us from speaking about Jesus, those who want to lure us into sin, those who would like us to fall from grace and even some who would like to kill us. 

We know that the best defense is a good offense.  A good offense is to keep our distance.  We can be friendly, but not necessarily friends.

 

We can share the Gospel with unbelievers and invite them to church and see what happens.  And, perhaps they will become believers because God’s arms are wide open and waiting to receive them.

Inspired By God

 

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness so that the man (and woman) of God may be adequately equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16

One thing I suggested my children do to help them make better decisions was to ask themselves, “Do I want people to see this on the news?”

Once when my daughter made an error in judgement I asked her if she asked herself the question. She replied, “Yes, but I didn’t answer it.”

That is the way we can sometimes be with God’s word. We might not particularly like what it says, but that does not detract from the fact that it is the truth and it is in our best interest to do that which God has commanded us to do.

God’s Word, the Bible, provides us with advice to equip us for good works and a good life.

Nothing Is Too Difficult For God

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"

Jeremiah 32:27

When we face big challenges, we can count on God to help us. 

No matter where we go or what we do, God is with us.  

So, be brave.  Do what you need to do and know that the Lord, God of all flesh, is working for you.

God said it, believe it: Nothing is too difficult for God.  

Nobody Is Perfect

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. “For the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?”

“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus wanted us to know that we cannot win people to the Gospel by pointing out their character flaws. And, that the truth is that we all have plenty of flaws which need fixing because people are not perfect.

Jesus wants us to love others unconditionally. And, generously share the Gospel message with everyone. 

It is when people receive Jesus as their Lord, Master and Savior that the life transforming work of God begins. And, our part in it is to be there as their cheerleaders.

 

 

Show Hospitality

 

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

Hebrews 13:1-3

Hospitality and compassion never go out of style.  Jesus showed hospitality when He miraculously feed the five thousand, and He showed compassion when He forgave the thief who hung by His side at His crucifixion.

 

Christianity is a fellowship which is open to all and we as Christians are charged to make the first move when we meet people.  Showing hospitality costs us nothing and opens doors for us to share the Gospel.  

 

So, be brave.  Say "Hello." 

On Some We Have Mercy With Fear

 

And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. 

Jude 1:22-23

Did you ever make a new friend, and then discover that they have some big sin issues?  So, what do you do?

Well, I don’t just jilt them, but I have some rules.  First, I don’t go over to their house and they don’t come to my house.  I meet them in a public place.  Second, I make clear to them that I am a Christian and that I believe Jesus Christ changes lives, and that He can change their life, too.  Sometimes this ends the relationship because they think their life is fine, which is OK, because I am just the messenger and I know that God will send another and another and another with His message so they will have ample opportunities to get it.

As Jude said sometimes it is as though we “snatch them out of the fire,” and on some we “have mercy with fear.” 

Lean On One Another

 

Take care brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:12-13

We are surrounded by sin. It tries to invade our lives with all manner of evil. We see wars and crime and hate and discouragement. Sometimes Christians are beaten up by the onslaught of evil and give up.

Paul tells us to stick together and encourage one another in the faith. When we speak words of kindness and encouragement to one another it is a two way street, as we give encouragement we are encouraged.

We are called to care for each other, let us do so without reserve. Lean on one another, encourage one another, believe the living God.