Have you ever had a friend who was not a believer? Perhaps a relative that you have been ministering to, but they just won’t listen. And to make matters worse, they are upset at you because you won’t be like them. It’s not a question to let you be what and who you are, but unless you are like them, they don’t want to have anything to do with you. But you, because you love them, want to be in their lives. You stay keeping a low profile, not making waves, and not being allowed to express your faith, so you remain quiet all the time you are with them. Well, listen to what Scripture tells us about these kinds of relationships: “Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s sanctuary have with idols? For we are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said: I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people. Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord; do not touch any unclean thing, and I will welcome you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty. “ 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Now that doesn’t mean that we don’t love them, and will help them if they need help, but to continually give up our life as a beacon of light so that we don’t offend is not scriptural. But we do it all the time. So how do we love someone, a friend or family member, while they are engaged in sinful activity, and be the beacon of light to them. It’s fine if they accept your presence without trying to change you. But you must be careful that you do not become like them in putting your light under a basket because you don’t want to offend. The life of a believer is an offense to the unbeliever. Always will be! But we can be around them and be a light to them if they will accept us as we are, just as we accept them. We don’t have to be hammering the gospel down their throats every time we meet, but being a light is one of love and kindness. That’s what they don’t necessarily like. But there is nothing wrong with the fellowship if you are allowed to be who you are meant to be, because then you are working in the mission field, and the mission field may be your own family. We are never to NOT be lights for the nations, but when that light is required to be shut down if you want to remain, that’s when you must take a stand. Just as you are not to constantly condemn a sinner, while you are in their midst, let God do that work through the Holy Spirit, and then they will see your good works and perhaps will be challenged, and perhaps you will have been allowed to lead just one more into the kingdom of heaven. But if they accept you stay with them and be the missionary you are called to be. But if they will not accept you unless you stop speaking truth, or unless you stop praying, then you should consider the scripture above. Listen to what 1 Corinthians says: “Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals.” 15:33 Remember to be kind, to be the character of the One you follow, and show love that lasts, not one that will be easily put away so that you can be politically correct. Pastor Andy
Barnabas Man 