WHOLLY HOLY
April 7, 2010
What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? - 2 Corinthians 6:15
To be holy is to be moraly blameless. It is to be separated from sin and, therefore, consecrated to God. The word signifies “separation to God and the conduct befitting those so separated. - Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness
What are we to do with our relationships with unbelievers in light of 2 Corinthians 6? The contrasts described by Paul suggest, no, define polarities, opposites. There can be no relationship, communion, sharing, agreement or commonality between one who is Christ’s and one who is Satan’s. It is like trying to join opposite poles of two magnets – instead of joining together they, each, repel the other. We all have some relation with those in the world, whether by necessity, convenience or choice. What are we to do?
We cannot isolate ourselves from society (1 Cor. 3:9ff). Those who are newly converted but find themselves married to an unbeliever are to remain married, the closest of all relationships (1 Cor. 7:12ff). However, Christians are not to marry non-Christians (1 Cor.7:39). Dining with unbelievers seems to be allowed (1 Cor. 10:27). While we do not know for certain what specific relationships Paul is addressing it seems to involve heathen sacrifices and worship.
My belief is that we should avoid any relationship that would adversely affect our sacrifice and worship to God. Since “we are the temple of the living God,” then our daily life is our sacrifice and worship. What we do each day, every minute, is dedicated to the God who lives within us, inside his temple. Our every thought and action is a thought and actiion of sacrifice and worship. Our relationships with unbelievers is part of this worship to God.
Here are some questions we must ask ourselves as we evaluate our relationship with those outside of Christ:
-
What actions will this relationship lead me to take?
-
What will I do if I let this relationship consume me?
-
Is this relationship right or wrong according to the Scriptures?
-
If God put something in my way to prevent me from being in this relationship, would I find a way past this obstacle?
-
Are wise and godly people counseling me against this relationship?
-
Am I violating my own judgement and conscience while in this relationship?
-
Does this relationship cause me to sacrifice spiritually important segments of my life?
-
Does this relationship cause me to avoid spiritual events or people?
-
Who benefits from this relationship: God or Satan?
-
Is this relationship encouraging me to be spiritual or worldly?
-
Is this relationship, ultimately, going to redeem the unbeliever?
Tough questions for a very tough issue. I cannot, nor can anyone else, evaluate your relationships with unbelievers. The issue is between you and the God that dwells within. It may have been John Newton who remarked, “I make it a rule of Christian duty never to go to a place where there is not room for my Master as well as myself.” That would be a good rule for our relationships. The unbeliever will not only have a relationship with me but also with my God and his Christ. Is there room in that relationship for them? The unbeliever will have to know that God and Christ are there. Sacrifice and worship are not hidden, silent things that we do. Candidly, sometimes in my life I do hide them, sometimes even very deep. How about you?
Paul gives us a lot to think about, pray about, ask forgiveness about. The God who lives within and makes us his temple is, to his praise, gracious and forgiving. Though the outward manifestation of his temple may become stained through wrong associations, the inside can be beautiful as he is continually making us to be like him. Let us rededicate God’s temple to him. Let us be wholly holy, fully dedicated to the Lord within.
OMG, today let my outer life match the holiness you have brought to my inner life. Amen.
copyright 2010 by Richard Hugh Manlove
