By Justin Edwards
Today's Scripture from 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 prompted me to repost this from February. As we continue into this late hour, let us evaluate our relationships with the world and assess whether they be stumbling blocks in our relationship with our Lord and Savior. Who is in your inner circle? Believers or non-believers? Our closest friends must be born again believers. Scripture is clear on the matter - how do you fair? As Steve Lawson highlights, we must "run with the righteous."
Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." 1 Corinthians 15:33
1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Ephesians 5:3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
2 Corinthians 6:15-18 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16Or 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 SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17"Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord.
"AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And I will welcome you.
18"And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,"
Says the Lord Almighty.
I can't get the video to work here or on RR. I must be doing something wrong. I'm clicking on the title.
ReplyDeleteHi, there's no video on RR, only here. Do you see a video in the post? If not, it may be that you need to upgrade your flash player. Try this link and see if you are able to view any of the videos: http://illbehonest.com/
ReplyDeleteIf that doesn't work, here's the video on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C22i313Z6Ws
Does that help?
Great video. I find also the verses in 2 Corinthians 6 to be a great rebuttal to so many new-agers and "emergent" teachings. If God is in everyone and everything, which emergents/new agers teach..then why would we be commeanded to seperate ourselves from the unrighteous? Just as Christ cannot dwell together with Belial..so God does not reside within the unrepentant sinner. We are in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit only after we accept God's wonderful gift of grace through Christ Jesus.
ReplyDeleteGreat points, Anonymous, and I agree. The flesh and the Spirit contradict each other, and no one can serve 2 masters.
ReplyDeleteWow, how incredibly wrong. Jesus was always among the sinners and publicans, Jesus came to heal the sick . .. we who follow Jesus are to be the light and the salt of the world. It is as if this guy hasn't read the Gospels.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteAre your best friends believers or non-believers? Who is in your closest circle of friends? I think you missed the point of the message, and more than that, the Scriptures posted.
My closest circle includes sinner and saint, rich and poor, the least, the lost and the forgotten, the addict and the insane. Always happy to serve my Lord among the people He loves.
ReplyDeleteI am seeing a lot of condemnation and not a lot of talk about Jesus. Jesus delivers all who accept His grace, through His redeeming work on the cross. No one comes to the Father except through His Son, Jesus Christ the merciful savior.
Hi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteWe can serve all people without them being our closest confidants. Who are you going to seek godly advice from - the believer or the unbeliever?
The point of this message is not to condemn unbelievers, not at all. It is not to condemn weaker Christians, not at all. But it is to exhort Christians to choose their friends wisely, and as Scripture clearly teaches, do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, do not associate with the professed Christian who is living in unrepentant sin. But rather, walk in the light, fellowship with the children of God, and be used by God as salt and light to reach the lost.
We don't witness to people when we become like them; our witness comes from being separate with the love, light, and life of Christ being manifest in us.