James 3:18 –
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
How do we manage non-believers in our circle of friends?
Are we complicit if we are within that circle?
2 John 1:10 says, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him…”
What does that scripture of 1 John mean? Are we as Christians to shun those who are non-believers?
There seems to be a line of confliction within some scriptures that alternate back and forth between the handling of non-believers. How or what do we do when in the circle of such individuals.
Let’s try and figure this out together.
2 John 1:11 he goes on further to illustrate, “for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”
Yikes! Now what? Let’s continue with more scripture.
Ephesians 5:11
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
Ephesians above clearly expresses what we are to do. Reprove them. What does reprove actually mean? You can look it up in various places, and it more of less means the same thing.
It’s a sense of guiding someone gently, and in this case, more than likely sharing the Gospel and having patience with them, as explained in 2 Timothy below.
2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Jesus wants us to preach and teach. Not in an overly zealot type fashion. For the Spirit is a complete and honorable Gentleman. He would never force something upon us or be harsh with us in doing so. No. Instead, He wants us to share with those who are in the dark and are ignorant in the Word. Sadly, many people clearly do it by choice. Still others may be due to a lack of knowledge or instruction by never having been exposed to the Gospel.
Jesus says in Mark 2:17 “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
What do we get out of the conflictions in the Bible? We keep delving deeper into the word, cross reference scriptures to understand the whole picture. If we were to just go with one line or two, we don’t get the summary of who God is or what His purpose for us in life is. We don’t get to fully grasp the meaning of God’s infinite love for us and how magnificent He really is. And most of all how He longs to have us be with Him for all Eternity by following Him.
The Bible is filled with wonderment and examples of what men and women went through. The sacrifices they’ve made along the way. The miracles that were clearly performed, the sick that were healed, and the souls that were saved by Jesus Christ crucifixion, death and resurrection.
God puts us where we should be and need to be at any given moment in time. When surrounded by others who don’t believe, we’re not to be rude, or disparaging, or hurl insults at one another. Instead, be an example of Jesus Christ by our actions, our words of encouragement, and by our unwavering faith. These are crucial elements that are inherent in His children. We need sprinkle seeds along the way under certain circumstances.
The seeds we sow are all we can do. God does the rest. It is up to the LORD to produce growth. We are the Sowers; He is the ultimate horticulturist. God always gives the increase. We do our job, but He is in control of it all, as with everything in the Universe.
So, the next time you find yourself with a group or individuals who are non-believers, don’t be fearful. Instead listen to the voice of the Spirit, and He will let you know when and where you should “spread seeds.” And when we do this, we will be pleasing to the LORD and doing our job as Christians. The growth is always up to the LORD of lords. Some will grow to incredible heights with deep roots entrenched in the Word. Others, well…that’s up to God.
“Father God, help me to be a witness to Your love and mercy in all I do, and all those I encounter, I will spread the seeds, and know you are the only One who will provide growth, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”