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Yes, I am Involved
with Unbelievers.
How much is too much?
None of us can take ourselves completely out of this world.
We have to associate with the lost. What should be done.
1st lets look at what the Bible
says.
2Corinthians 6:14-18
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
Notice the analogy, unequally yoked
together.
If a saved person must be yoked or harnessed in the work with the
lost, if must not be with the lost person over the saved. The
obvious question then, is ...
Fellowship
for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness?
"Fellowship" here is a heart-to-heart
association.
Biblically, this association is reserved for saint to saint, saved
to saved.
Communion
and what communion hath light
with darkness?
"Communion" in this passage has to do
with social association. This is a little less intimate than
"fellowship".
Concord
And what concord hath Christ
with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
"Concord" is understood as a compact
accord. The second part reveals a little more. "Part" here is
likened to a share of a partnership.
Agreement, Part
And what agreement hath the
temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God;
as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will
be their God, and they shall be my people.
"Agreement" is further explanation of
"Concord" and "Part". It carries the same idea of an agreed
upon pact for some endeavor.
Come Out, Separate,
Touch Not
Wherefore come out from among
them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean
thing; and I will receive you,
"Come out" is obviously a command to
leave the association.
"Separate" means to set a boundary between.
"Touch not" has the idea of uncoupling, quench the unifying bon
fire.
Promise to the
Obedient
And will be a Father unto you,
and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
This is the promise for those who
forsake unbalanced associations with unbelievers.
Summation
The types of associations listed above are obvious. They do
not require further explanation. If we want God, our Father,
to act like a Father to us, we must forsake these types of
relations.
But, there is a qualification to be made. Notice the word
"Unequal". These relations are not to be unequal. But,
if we are on the up-side of the relationship and of course have the
gumption to stand for the Lord, there is nothing wrong.
Illustration
We have had several business partnerships of sorts.
But in every case, when a lost person was involved they did not have
a higher authority, nor did they own a larger percentage.
We have had employees and minority
partners both, want to buy customers liquor. It was always met
with a definite and firm, "No!" Explanation was given and the
issue was resolved.
We have also worked for employers who
chose to buy liquor for their customers. He could do whatever
he was big enough to handle. It was no affair of ours.
We had no yoke of fellowship or agreement with the employer.
If the employer did not understand why we would not participate in
the acquisition or delivery of liquor, then it was time to move on.
If the person was merely a supervisor, he was reported to his
superiors and we received whatever fell out.
Illustration
A boat is in the water. It is useless unless in the water.
But it is also useless if the boat begins to take on the water in
which it floats.
As long as the boat is over the water
and does not let the water have its way their relationship fine,
even desirable.
How else will the lost know they are
lost and how to become saved, if there is no saved person around?
Continue ...
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