Rachel turned out to only be her first loss. Ben stopped coming taking
part in church activities as regularly. It happened quite suddenly. She
knew it wasn't a problem between the two of them. He'd actually suggested
that she move in with him. She was too embarrassed to tell him about her
financial problems, and couldn't explain her reticence except to say that
she didn't want to.
"There's an extra room, Mary. It would work out fine. I wouldn't pressure you into having adult relations before you were ready."
Mary just shook her head and was grateful when he stopped pushing the idea.
Even though Ben was no longer taking part in church activities they made an effort to see each other at least once a week. Having become accustomed to see him every other day, this didn't seem very frequent.
She couldn't understand why Ben would want to leave. He'd been made so welcome. She knew Pastor David had talked to him about moving into the co- op. If he had, they could have been together.
Mary had never felt any pressure about her relationship with Ben. Perhaps because he'd done so much volunteer work. Usually members didn't date, or if they did it was to other people in the co-op.
Pastor David explained the problem with such relationships with non- members.
The Bible tells us: "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have 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 shall 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." (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
"Paul's comments warn us about the dangers of associating with nonbelievers. It's easy to weaken when surrounded by nonbelievers. We all have friends and family who aren't members of the church, and we all know how difficult this can be. The Bible warns us of the dangers of these sort of relationships. "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.'" (1 Corinthians 15:33) Even if you have good character, you need to be careful when deciding on the people with whom you spend a lot of time.
The Bible shows us that it's not possible for two people to live together in harmony unless they're in agreement about important things. (See Amos 3:3) Remember Abraham, who required that his son Isaac not marry a local, but rather someone of his own faith. (Genesis 24:3, 28:1) Similarly Moses reminds us not to intermarry with people that do not share our faith. "[Y]ou shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you." (Deuteronomy 7:3-4) Moses' admonition was based on the real experience of immorality that resulted from such mixed relationships. (Numbers 25:1-3) We have many examples of believers being tempted away from their faith when they associate with nonbelievers.
Biblical examples tend to talk about marriage relationships, but the same reasoning can apply to dating relationships. As with a marriage, a dating relationship is one where you like, maybe even love the other person. You leave yourself open to your partner's thoughts, emotions and beliefs, making yourself vulnerable. Remember, we're told "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23) Even if you're not interested in marriage you risk your inner purity when you associate with non-believers. Besides, why date someone you can't marry?
Of course, one needs to associate with non-believers to bring them into the church, but some types of relationships, family and dating, for example, can put more pressure on one than other kinds and present a real danger to true faith.
It's important to bring non-believers to God, but you can't be a good witness if you're not firm in your own faith. So, there's no point in being around non-believers if doing so is damaging to you and won't help them. Witnessing to nonbelievers can be done for short periods of time with the knowledge that one will soon return to the safety of the church and fellow children of the new promise. Relationships that are built on longer term ties must necessarily be approached with more caution.
If God really intends for you to be with that person, don't you think he'd bring that person to a knowledge of the true faith before allowing you to endanger yourself? If that person hasn't come to God, it's probably a sign that that person isn't really meant for you.
God does not want his children to be corrupted by non-believers. Remember, those who are not for God are against him. What sort of a relationship can we have with people who are against the most important part of our lives - God?
We all know how much hanging around with people can influence us. So, be careful of the friends you make."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
At the end of the sermon, Pastor David called Mary over.
"Mary. I hope today's sermon spoke to you particularly."
"You mean because of Christmas? But they're my family. They wouldn't understand if I hadn't gone."
"Remember what the Bible tells us, Mary: 'fear God and keep His commandments'. (Ecclesiastes 12:13) Your first duty is to God, Mary. Not to family, and also not to friends."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Charity came with her when she made the phone call. They'd been going to meet for supper that night.
"I can't go out with you." She blurted out.
He must have sensed that she was upset. "That's okay Mary. What about tomorrow night?"
She paused, could feel Charity looking at her.
"No. I mean I can't go out with you anymore."
He didn't say anything.
"We're not of the same faith." She stumbled over a further explanation, conscious of Charity on the one end and Ben on the other.
After a moment's silence he said, "I understand Mary. I just want to let you know that if you ever do need me. I'll be there for you."
Mary said good-bye and hung up the phone. There was a time when she never would have considered saying good-bye to him that way. She'd really changed since joining the Children of the New Promise.
"There's an extra room, Mary. It would work out fine. I wouldn't pressure you into having adult relations before you were ready."
Mary just shook her head and was grateful when he stopped pushing the idea.
Even though Ben was no longer taking part in church activities they made an effort to see each other at least once a week. Having become accustomed to see him every other day, this didn't seem very frequent.
She couldn't understand why Ben would want to leave. He'd been made so welcome. She knew Pastor David had talked to him about moving into the co- op. If he had, they could have been together.
Mary had never felt any pressure about her relationship with Ben. Perhaps because he'd done so much volunteer work. Usually members didn't date, or if they did it was to other people in the co-op.
Pastor David explained the problem with such relationships with non- members.
The Bible tells us: "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have 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 shall 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." (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
"Paul's comments warn us about the dangers of associating with nonbelievers. It's easy to weaken when surrounded by nonbelievers. We all have friends and family who aren't members of the church, and we all know how difficult this can be. The Bible warns us of the dangers of these sort of relationships. "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.'" (1 Corinthians 15:33) Even if you have good character, you need to be careful when deciding on the people with whom you spend a lot of time.
The Bible shows us that it's not possible for two people to live together in harmony unless they're in agreement about important things. (See Amos 3:3) Remember Abraham, who required that his son Isaac not marry a local, but rather someone of his own faith. (Genesis 24:3, 28:1) Similarly Moses reminds us not to intermarry with people that do not share our faith. "[Y]ou shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you." (Deuteronomy 7:3-4) Moses' admonition was based on the real experience of immorality that resulted from such mixed relationships. (Numbers 25:1-3) We have many examples of believers being tempted away from their faith when they associate with nonbelievers.
Biblical examples tend to talk about marriage relationships, but the same reasoning can apply to dating relationships. As with a marriage, a dating relationship is one where you like, maybe even love the other person. You leave yourself open to your partner's thoughts, emotions and beliefs, making yourself vulnerable. Remember, we're told "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23) Even if you're not interested in marriage you risk your inner purity when you associate with non-believers. Besides, why date someone you can't marry?
Of course, one needs to associate with non-believers to bring them into the church, but some types of relationships, family and dating, for example, can put more pressure on one than other kinds and present a real danger to true faith.
It's important to bring non-believers to God, but you can't be a good witness if you're not firm in your own faith. So, there's no point in being around non-believers if doing so is damaging to you and won't help them. Witnessing to nonbelievers can be done for short periods of time with the knowledge that one will soon return to the safety of the church and fellow children of the new promise. Relationships that are built on longer term ties must necessarily be approached with more caution.
If God really intends for you to be with that person, don't you think he'd bring that person to a knowledge of the true faith before allowing you to endanger yourself? If that person hasn't come to God, it's probably a sign that that person isn't really meant for you.
God does not want his children to be corrupted by non-believers. Remember, those who are not for God are against him. What sort of a relationship can we have with people who are against the most important part of our lives - God?
We all know how much hanging around with people can influence us. So, be careful of the friends you make."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
At the end of the sermon, Pastor David called Mary over.
"Mary. I hope today's sermon spoke to you particularly."
"You mean because of Christmas? But they're my family. They wouldn't understand if I hadn't gone."
"Remember what the Bible tells us, Mary: 'fear God and keep His commandments'. (Ecclesiastes 12:13) Your first duty is to God, Mary. Not to family, and also not to friends."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Charity came with her when she made the phone call. They'd been going to meet for supper that night.
"I can't go out with you." She blurted out.
He must have sensed that she was upset. "That's okay Mary. What about tomorrow night?"
She paused, could feel Charity looking at her.
"No. I mean I can't go out with you anymore."
He didn't say anything.
"We're not of the same faith." She stumbled over a further explanation, conscious of Charity on the one end and Ben on the other.
After a moment's silence he said, "I understand Mary. I just want to let you know that if you ever do need me. I'll be there for you."
Mary said good-bye and hung up the phone. There was a time when she never would have considered saying good-bye to him that way. She'd really changed since joining the Children of the New Promise.