Monday, May 30, 2016

Keep Away (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Today’s scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6

We Christ-followers know we should avoid intimate interactions with non-believers. We shouldn’t be “unequally yoked” (2 Cor. 6:14), and though that often refers to marriage, we need to be very cautious about even close friendships with those who don’t share our faith. Oftentimes, instead of our leading them to Christ, they lead us away.

But this verse is talking about our “brothers,” and this seems to be referring to fellow believers. We are to “keep away” from Christians who aren’t living according to the Bible’s teachings.

Our world abounds with preachers who are skewing the truth, taking verses out of context or picking and choosing which parts of the Bible they want to believe—and rejecting those that don’t fit with their objectives.

And many people who sincerely love Jesus and want to serve God are being deceived. Because of what they’ve been taught—or not taught, as the case may be—they’re living contrary to biblical commandments.

We need to be cautious with those friendships as well. It’s easy to begin to compromise our own faith when we see others who call themselves by the name of Christ compromise theirs. Our plumb line must always be what God’s word tells us to be true.

So, watch your friendships closely. And nurture those relationships that build your faith, rather than tear it down.

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