2 Timothy 2:22 “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right… enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”
2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
Relationships form the basis by which we live out our God-given purposes. They provide the environment to practice the work of God in our lives; granting us the opportunity to reflect the qualities of Christ. However they also can be a huge stumbling block to our growth as Christians, choking and diverting us away from the path God has called us to travel.
As Christians we are called to spread the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth (Matt 28:19), so it would make sense that we need to develop friendships with non Christians. However God has also called us to be holy (1Thes 4:7, 1Peter 2:9), being the salt and light of the world (Matt 5:13-14). We must be wise and very careful to stay clear from anything that compromises the work of God in our lives. For various reasons, it’s so easy to allow ourselves to get too close to non Christians under the guise of wanting to lead them to Christ. Although that in itself is a noble motive, we allow ourselves to be blinded to the negative affects those relationships may have on our own walk with God.
The prime example of this is to be intimately involved with a non Christian. This is a sensitive topic, given our emotions can be so powerful and seductive at times. Our motives become blurred and we soon find ourselves being lead astray from what God has for us. God has clearly stated that we are not to be joined with a non-believer in an intimate relationship. This is a hard truth, but it is to save us from a possible lifetime of grief, frustration and despair. It doesn’t mean that Christians are any better than non Christians, but rather God wants us to be joined with someone who has the same values, foundation and passions in their life – governed by their relationship with Jesus. We must not forget our primary purpose in life as Christians – to become more Christ-like and be God’s light in the world. If we become intimately involved with a non-believer, that purpose will be compromised and we will forgo God’s blessings. Satan knows this and will do all he can to convince us otherwise. We must stand firm in the truth that God knows and wants what is best for us – a relationship that compliments and strengthens our spiritual walk with Him. If it’s His purpose for us is to be married, He will lead us to such a relationship if we trust and follow Him.
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