Reform Church Audio Articles

Length: 5 Minutes

Do you believe that Jesus is the only way for us to receive from a holy God? If you do, you will love this article. Of course, we don’t deserve God’s grace by our works, but Jesus paid the price so that we could receive it! That’s Christianity 101. Many people think that they already believe those statements, and perhaps you do, but you’d be surprised at how many Christians contradict this. 

There are many, many people that have been raised from the dead, especially in the Bible. Now, when you see someone being raised from the dead, healed, or receiving a miracle in the Bible, how did they receive these things? Pay very close attention to this question, because it determines a lot about you:

When you see a resurrection in the Bible, did those people receive that through the provision of Jesus or through some other way? Think about that for a while…

Ok, I’ll give you the answer. If you see someone being raised from the dead in the Bible, it’s because they received it through the provision of Jesus. Romans 5:2 makes it very clear that Jesus is the only means, through faith in Him, that people can receive grace from God. 

Romans 5:2 (NKJV) through whom [through Jesus] also we have access by faith into this grace…

Despite saying that we believe Jesus is the access to God’s grace, when we see miracles like the resurrection of the dead in the Bible, we assume it just happened by God’s sovereignty, because God can do anything. We see them as fluke, localized miracles that God did, simply because He chose to at that time, and not something that Jesus paid for and provided for everyone. 

We see people receiving miracles and resurrections in the Bible, but we don’t take a moment to realize that they could not have received those miracles, except Jesus provided it at the cross, because He’s the only way to receive from the Father. There is no other way (John 14:6). And most Christians claim to believe this. 

Unfortunately, Christians only acknowledge Jesus as the only way, when it comes to their initial salvation. But Jesus is not only the sole way to receive salvation from Hell, but as Romans 5:2 says, He is the only access to receive any of the grace of God. Therefore, there is no man that is living, has lived, or will ever live, that has ever received anything good from the Father, except that Jesus paid for it at the cross and someone believed it. That is what it means for Jesus to be the only access. He’s not just another access. He’s the only one. 

It’s either, Jesus paid for it, or no one can receive it. Jesus is the only access into the grace of God. And guess what? That includes the resurrection of the dead. So many people have been raised from the dead, and none of them could’ve received it unless Jesus provided it. How do I know? He’s the only way.

Think about this for a second: If there was only one way to get to your house, and someone showed up at your door, you would know how they got there. That is, if you truly believed there was only one way. And if Jesus is the only way to receive God’s grace, and we see someone receive grace from God (like power to be raised from the dead), then you should already know how they received it. That is, if Jesus truly is the only way. 

Why is it so vital to understand that any resurrections from the dead that you read about in your Bible were received through faith in Jesus? Because if they received it through the sacrifice of Jesus, then you can receive it too, because Jesus died for the whole world, not just a select few (1 Timothy 4:10 and 1 John 2:1). 

On the other hand, if it was some fluke miracle, then who knows? Maybe God will do it again and maybe He won’t. But that’s not how men receive from God. If you see someone receive from God, it happened through Jesus, through faith in Him. Every time. No exceptions. He’s the only way. 

Some may still maintain that people can receive purely from God’s sovereignty, but if the resurrections from the dead that you read about in your Bible, happened simply by God’s sovereignty, and not because Jesus provided it, you are saying that mankind can receive grace from God, apart from Jesus. And in that case, Jesus is not necessary.

Apparently in our minds, undeserving men can receive grace from God through Jesus, or alternatively, just because God felt like it. If you didn’t realize it, that’s two ways of receiving from God, not one way. And while you are entitled to believe what you will, you can no longer say that you believe Jesus is the only way to receive grace from God. 

The truth is, Jesus died the physical death that was owed to every man because of sin (Romans 8:10 and Hebrews 2:9). That’s why He died in a physical body. It’s for that reason that men have been able to be raised again from the dead, all throughout scripture. 

Resurrections are not localized miracles that happen whenever God chooses. God already chose to provide resurrection to all of humanity, when He sent his Son to die our death. Receiving your dead back to life is not too good to be true. It’s good and it is true. Jesus provided this, so that you (yes, you) can receive it. And we will take the time in this handbook to explain just how He pulled that off. 

Read the whole handbook here

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Length: 2 Minutes

Psalms 112:7 (NKJV) He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Do you know the beautiful thing about the times when someone gives you bad news? Do you want to know the really awesome thing about it, which just saps the fear and worry out of the situation? The wonderful thing about when someone gives you bad news is that there’s no bad thing they could tell you, that Jesus hasn’t already fixed. Jesus has turned the bad news into good news. No wonder the Bible says that we don’t have to be afraid of evil tidings, because Jesus took all the evil things that people could bring in their tidings and fixed them completely and utterly. That’s why we always have something called the “good tidings,” or as we know it, “the gospel.”.

This resurrection handbook is a guide into all the wonderful things that Jesus did to redeem human beings from physical, bodily death. If you’ve gotten any bad news, including the death of someone, we’re going to change that bad news into good news quickly.

When a doctor gives you bad news, when a family member gives you bad news, when the whole world gives you bad news, if you will turn your eyes to Jesus, He’s got some good news for you, regarding that very situation.

We’re going to see that death is a bad thing, which God does not will for anyone. We’re going to see that God is not the one taking people to heaven at their quote, unquote, appointed time. We’re going to see that Jesus would rather die for you, than to see you, or anyone else die. We’re going to see that death is as easily reversible as a scraped knee. And we’re going to see that you can receive life and resurrection for your body, and for the bodies of anyone else because it’s freely available to everyone.

This is the kind of good news you can’t get from anyone but Jesus. So, pick your head up, wipe away your tears, and let me introduce you to the fix to all your problems. Let me introduce you to the one we call “the Resurrection.” He’s happy to meet you, and if you listen, He’ll be happy to teach you.

Read the whole handbook here

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Length: 6 Minutes

In our last part, we introduced the concept that Peter spoke of, regarding submission without fear. This world submits for fear of consequences or for the control that they feel someone has over their life. But we submit to authority voluntarily, for the Lord’s sake, without any fear or terror.

1 Peter 3:5-6 (NKJV) For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

As we said in our last part, when a person submits to authority for fear of consequences, they will allow themselves to be controlled by that authority. They will go along with things, even beyond what they feel is right, simply to avoid consequences. But God does not want us to submit out of fear or timidity. The Holy Spirit inside of us is not a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7). And therefore, our submission should never be out of timidity, because we are too afraid to go against protocol. Our submission should be real submission, for the Lord’s sake, from a position of power, and yet love, with sound judgment. These are not things that need to be spoken to your superiors at work or to anyone you’re ever submitting to, but they are things for you to know. 

None of this diminishes the need for real submission and being deferential to the judgment of a leader, even if we disagree, but it certainly does change the motivation for that submission. God’s kind of submission does not come from a standpoint of weakness or helplessness. It’s not submission because we’re forced to, by the strength of another. It’s true kindness, respect, and submission for the Lord’s sake, without any fear or terror.

David is one of the best examples I can think of (apart from the Lord), of voluntary submission without fear or timidity. He’s a great example of submission from a position of strength, from someone who understood who he was in Christ.

David submitted to Saul and respected him because he was king, but even further, because he knew that the Lord had chosen him. David was even respectful of Saul while Saul was trying to kill him! Of course, this is not an advocacy for staying in an abusive relationship, for instance. Even David separated himself from Saul when this began to happen, as should anyone in a relationship like that. But David had such respect for Saul that when Saul died by killing himself, there was a man who came to boast before David, lying that he had killed Saul. That man expected that David would be proud of him. After all, Saul was hunting David for so long. And David, as the next king that God had anointed, had that man killed for saying that he took Saul’s life (2 Samuel 1:10).

Even while Saul was hunting David, he came into a cave where David and his men were hiding, and David cut a piece of Saul’s robe off, rather than killing him. David even questioned his own decision to cut a piece of Saul’s robe, concerned perhaps about the mockery that this would make of Saul (1 Samuel 24:5).

Despite David’s strong commitment to submit to Saul, David also had no problem respectfully stating the truth about Saul when Saul had gone contrary to the Lord.  Because, despite all of David’s strong submission to Saul, he was not submitting out of fear. He was submitting to him out of love, for the Lord’s sake, from a position of strength. Whenever you are submitting for the Lord sake, and not out of fear, it enables you to stand your ground and refuse to go contrary to the Lord.

Abigail did this when her husband Nabal had foolishly treated David. She did not go along with her husband’s treatment of David, and yet pleaded with David not to kill her husband, or to take vengeance into his own hands (1 Samuel 25:3). 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did this with government authorities when it was commanded of them to bow down and worship a statue that the king had made. They had served the king before this, but because their submission was without fear, they also did not fear to refuse this order from the king, standing their ground in the truth. Daniel also, refusing direct orders from the king when it went contrary to the Lord (Daniel 3:18, 6:7).

The world is mostly one of two things. They are either prone to disobedience and disrespect of authority, bad mouthing leadership behind their back, amongst employees or family. Obeying them while the leadership is watching and disobeying in the dark. Or on the other hand, out of timidity, kissing up or submitting, for fear of what men might do to them. Neither of these things are for you as a child of God.

We have been served and respected by the Lord, despite not deserving any of it. The Lord even clearing our accusers from heaven while we were yet sinners. How can we not give love and kindness to everyone, let alone our love and submission for those in authority, even if they don’t deserve it? How can we not serve others from a renewed heart? And yet, all of this, without fear of the retaliation or of the consequences. 

Without this fear or timidity, we will never be cowed into silence when it is important to respectfully speak. Without this fear, we will never be pushed into the corner when it is time to civilly disobey. Without this fear, we will never allow ourselves to go to the contrary of the truth of Jesus, no matter what cost they are saying will be exacted, because we have a master above all masters, a king above all kings… and they are not Him…

So, support and love those that are in leadership. Wives submit to your husband’s. Husbands consider your wives in everything. Citizens, respect your government. Workers, submit to leadership.  Demonstrate love toward everyone. And do all of this because of your knowledge of the Lord and your confidence in Him, not out of fear or timidity, so that if the time comes that you need to respectfully disobey, you’ll have no fear to keep you quiet; only confidence in the Lord Jesus to stand for the truth. You have a Father in heaven who has done enough to deserve your submission, no matter how many earthly authorities that contradicts.

Acts 5:29 (NKJV) But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

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Length: 7 Minutes

In Christ, all believers have the same thing, through the same cross. None of us differ in the grace that we have received from God, because we received it through the same payment. And while that is true, while we are growing, we don’t all play the same role, not in this world, in a family, or a ministry. God has us perform different jobs so that we are not all doing the same thing (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). And in these various structures that God has set forth, there will be authority figures for us to submit to, but there’s a right way to do that.

Now, regarding wives submitting to their husbands, Peter makes a very important point, which is not commonly heard. It is applicable to husbands and wives, but we will see that it is a principle that should be applied to all forms of submission. 

Here it is:

1 Peter 3:5-6 (NKJV) For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

A man is the head of his household. So Peter is talking about wives submitting to their husbands, as is right in a household. 

I should clarify, because this is commonly misunderstood. This does not mean that a man makes decisions by himself. By far, no. We are told to submit to one another as believers. How much more a husband toward a wife, whom he has covenant with (Ephesians 5:21)? Husbands and wives are told to submit themselves to one another sexually. How much more in all other matters (1 Corinthians 7:4)? Both the husband and the wife are authority figures in the household, which is why it is said to children, “Honor your father and your mother,” not just their father.  

The husband makes decisions with his wife. They’re one flesh and function together. Despite this, a man is the head of his household. I believe that means that when there is a disagreement that can’t be settled, the husband gets the last call. This is a serious thing, which should only be done under strong conviction from the Lord. Otherwise, I say, if you can’t do it in agreement, then you don’t do it at all  (Ephesians 4:3).

Nevertheless, it is right for a wife to respect her husband’s leadership in the household. But Peter makes a very important point about submission. He says that the wife should do so while “not being afraid” and not with “any terror.” This is a vital point when speaking about any kind of submission.

Most people in this world only submit when they are afraid of a person. If you think about it for a second, you’ll see what I mean. Customer service agents will submit to the desires of the customer if they fear getting a poor review or rating from them. Companies will submit to their customers wishes if they fear not being able to make money from them. Employees will submit to their employers, because they feel their employer controls their wages, and hence their livelihood. Most of these people are not doing it out of the goodness of their heart, but for fear of consequences. A citizen may submit to a government, for fear of punishment. A smaller person might submit to a bigger person, for fear of being hurt. A self-conscious person submits to proud people, for fear of being ridiculed. 

In fact, many people that are deemed unattractive or unfit come across as very “nice.” Most of this is not real compassion or submission, but self-preservation. When someone fears ridicule, they will walk on eggshells to please other people. But this kind of submission is not godly submission. It’s a kind of submission to people, driven by fear of them. Most submission in this world is only for fear of consequences; feeling that some person has your life in their hands. Peter says to submit, but not because of fear or terror. 

The submission that God advocates, both in the household, or anywhere else is not a submission because we fear consequences from a man. It is submission for the sake of godly order, for the Lord’s sake, and at the Lord’s word, not for fear of a person. This type of submission changes everything. This is the kind of submission that comes from a place of strength and not weakness. It comes from a position of confidence and not fear or timidity.

When you submit because of fear of a person or entity, you are being controlled by them. You will even submit to a person in ways that you know are not right when you are submitting out of fear. When you are submitting out of fear, you will allow someone to control you, even in ways that are contrary to the Lord. But when you don’t fear any man, because your confidence is in the Lord, knowing that you place your life in the Lord’s control, you don’t submit because you must, for fear of consequences. You submit because you know it is right for the sake of order, not because of intimidation. 

And because you’re submitting voluntarily, and not being forced to, by fear, you will also have the confidence to respectfully and politely decline when a decision is contrary to the Lord. When you submit to authority, and not out of fear, you won’t have fear to hold you back, when you need to civilly disobey or respectfully disagree with something contrary to the truth. 

This should not be taken lightly, and this is not to diminish the need for real, genuine submission; even in times when you think there’s a better way to do something. Your opinion is not always needed. Sometimes, less is more when it comes to your words. 

I’m not talking about abuse, but there is a need for real submission; even if a leader isn’t being particularly fair.

1 Peter 2:18 (MKJV) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to those good and forbearing, but also to the perverse ones.

Again, I’m not talking about being coerced into doing something immoral. That’s the whole point of this article. But we should serve others, especially those in authority, even when they don’t deserve it, because the Lord loved and served you when you didn’t deserve it. If we can’t give undeserved love, kindness, and submission to others, who can? 

When a leader is going in a direction that is contrary to the Lord or asking you to do something that is contrary to the Lord, you can respectfully decline, because your submission is not out of fear of them. If you were submitting out of fear, you would allow yourself to be coerced, even in ways that you knew were wrong. Submission without fear allows you to defer to a leader’s judgment, even when it is not the way you would do something. And when something has gone too far, to the point of immorality or untruth, you are able to respectfully decline, because you do not fear them or their control over your life.

This is submission from a position of strength. It’s godly submission from someone who knows who they are in Christ, and who their chief leader is. It is not a forced submission because of the threat of a person or an entity. It is a submission that is completely voluntary, not under threat, but simply for the sake of godly order, knowing the authority structures that God has set in place. 

So, know who God has re-created you to be. Understand the unstoppable power of God inside of you. Recognize the name above all names and the position above all positions that Jesus has shared with you (Ephesians 1:21, 2:6). Submit to all forms of leadership, in the household, in government, or in the workplace, for the Lord’s sake and for the sake of order. Because, we citizens of heaven do all things for the sake of decency and order, but never for fear.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (NKJV) Let all things be done decently and in order.

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Length: 5 Minutes

When you’ve gone through some addiction, habit, sickness, or pain for a long time, many people, and unfortunately many believers as well, feel sort of trapped or stuck, wondering if this thing will ever go away. I’ve got good news for you. As a believer you are a slave to righteousness and God’s life-giving power. That’s the only thing you’re stuck in. Let’s unpack that.

In the world, because of Adam’s sin, there are only two problems – sin and death. Sin is where all bad and even uncontrollable habits come from. And death is the word used for the suffering and imperfection in people’s bodies (2 Corinthians 4:12, Romans 4:19, and Romans 8:10). 

Because sin and death are something that everyone is born into (of no fault of their own), and simply cannot escape on their own, it is referred to as “the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8:2 (NKJV) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

When it says, “the law” of sin and death, he’s not using the word law as in “a commandment.” He is using the word law as we would say, “the laws of physics.” He’s using it to say that these things are binding. They are a governing authority over people that they cannot escape. It is a law that is in this world.

But as the verse that we just read also states, the Holy Spirit has made us free from that law. Even though a Christian can sin and can even experience death or suffering due to an unrenewed mind, even for those believers that experienced that, it is no longer a law… That means that it is no longer the inevitable outcome for a believer. Sin and death do not have to occur in a believer’s life to begin with, but even if it does, it is easily reversible now because it is not a law! 

If we experience these things, it is due to our lack of knowledge of what we have, not because it is our inevitable outcome. In fact, as we grow in our knowledge of what we have in Jesus, these things are disappearing from our life and falling off from our experience. They are not here to stay because they are not a law to us anymore. We are not bound to it anymore.

Instead, as born-again believers, because Jesus already took upon Himself the law of sin and death, He has instead given us a new law! He has given us a new slavery! He has given us a new bondage from which we cannot escape! That is called “slavery to righteousness” and “the law of the spirit of life.” If you combined many of these terms from Romans chapter 5 – 8, you could call it “the law of righteousness and life.”

Romans 8:2 (NKJV) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 6:18 (NKJV) And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Righteousness is the opposite of sin. That’s referring to all the good, pure, and moral things about the Lord. That’s who you are now! And life is the opposite of death. That’s referring to things like healing, strength, youth, immortality, and resurrection! That’s who you are now!

You’re not a slave to addiction and sin. You’re a slave to righteousness! You’re not a slave to death and suffering! You’re a slave to life (which is like saying the power of God). You’re a slave to it! That means that for those who continue in the knowledge of Jesus, it is the inevitable outcome that you are bound to experience! If you continue in the word of God, you must experience it! You are a slave to it! It is not an option.

There are many that don’t continue in the word of God. They continue for a short while, but never accept the good news. I’m not referring to those people. I’m talking about those who have genuinely received the knowledge of Jesus and continue in it…

albeit not perfectly at times, but continue nonetheless! As you continue in the word of God, the righteousness and life that are inside of you are literally taking over your body and mind. The control of righteousness and life is taking over your experience.

So, you are a slave. That’s for sure! But the only thing you are bound to, because of Jesus, is the righteousness and life of God. That is your bondage, which means, that it is your inevitable, inescapable outcome, as you believe. With sin and death, although you might see it for a moment, it is no longer a law to you. That means that it’s no longer permanent, inevitable, or binding. You may see it, but it is now temporary, passing, and removable. You’re not a slave to it anymore. You’re not stuck anymore. 

Seeing as that is true, stop thinking like a slave. I’m not telling you to deny that you feel something or did something. I’m telling you to acknowledge who you truly are and stop thinking that the experience is there to stay. Because if you think it’s there to stay, you are thinking like a slave. Because slaves to sin and death are stuck in it. Slaves have no option. And that’s not you (Romans 7:23–25).

Start thinking free from sin and death, and a slave instead to righteousness and life. Because those two things are your new realities and that’s something you’re truly stuck in. And if you continue in your knowledge of those things, it is the inevitable outcome for your experience, because you’re a captive now, to all the good things you see in Jesus. He’s loved you and paid for these things with His own flesh and blood, and He’s not letting you out…

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV) …His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness… having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

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Length: 11 minutes

It’s true that we should assemble with like-minded believers consistently. It’s true that we should avoid the company of those who scoff at the gospel or aren’t willing to hear. It’s also true that we need to make time to speak with people that may disagree with us now, but are willing to hear. Those are all true statements, but there are some other factors to consider as well…

You may know people that are willing to hear the gospel you teach, and yet some of those people may still not be a wise idea to hang out with for you personally.

Anytime someone has the potential to be a bad influence on you morally, emotionally, or otherwise, it’s not wise for you to be hanging out with them, even if they might be willing to hear the truth. Anyone who might serve as a temptation to you is not a good person to be hanging out with. There are other people out there that God can send to them. That person is just not you.

For instance, if you’ve had trouble with drugs or alcohol in the past, and your friends are still involved with substance-abuse, although they very well may be willing to hear the truth you have to teach, it would be wholly unwise to hang out with people that live this way, particularly for you.

A man ministering to a promiscuous woman one on one (or vice versa) wouldn’t be wise, even if she’s willing to hear. Truthfully, a man and a woman one-on-one, for the purpose of ministry, is probably not the best idea in most circumstances anyway.

A person who has been romantically involved with someone, and is trying to stay out of the relationship, probably isn’t the right person to disciple them. If you’re attracted to a person that you shouldn’t be involved with, someone without that emotional attachment should be the one discipling them. We want to flee youthful lusts, not run toward them (2 Timothy 2:22).

I could go on with examples, but any time you even have an inkling that someone could be a poor influence on you, morally, emotionally, or otherwise, you’re probably not the right person for the job of ministering to them. It would be like Joseph sticking around to tell Potiphar’s wife about Jesus, while she was seducing him. Maybe someone else can tell her about Jesus someday, but for now, Joseph needs to run the other way (Genesis 39:10-12)!

You can pray for them, that the Lord would send laborers to them, to lead them to the truth, but you may not be the right fit (Luke 10:2). Don’t fool yourself or talk yourself into spending time with people that can be a bad influence on you, even if you think they’re willing to hear. 

You’re the minister of the gospel here, you are the possessor of the truth, and if you are influenced poorly by this world, then who will preach the truth? Then who will bear this message to the world? It is more important for you to sacrifice a particular relationship, even if they’re willing to hear, to keep your mind and life straight, then to reach out to a particular person, and you, as a minister of the gospel, be swayed from your steadfastness. It would be better to sacrifice preaching to a few people for right now, if it means keeping your mind and effectual ministry on track. You are the possessor of this truth, and if you are swayed, then not only will those people not hear, but no one else will be able to hear from you either. 

Keep your mind and guard your heart above all else. It’s from the truth in your heart that the Holy Spirit can issue forth from you to this world (Proverbs 4:23). So, maintaining relationships that could influence you poorly, for the sake of, or under the guise of ministry, is not worth it. The highest priority you have, even above ministering to others, is to keep your mind locked on the Lord. That is your one obligation to the Father, so don’t put that at risk, even for the sake of ministry (John 6:29).

Regarding people that won’t hear, what if those people are in your own family?

Well, as to extended family, who are not in your specific care or commitment, simply follow the scripture that we’ve given you in the past articles. You don’t have to force something, but speak about Jesus like you always would, judge their receptiveness and tailor your time accordingly. 

As to those that are in your own household, of course, you have familial responsibilities that God has instituted. Let’s address married couples first. 

If you have made a commitment of marriage to somebody, you don’t have the same choice that you would with someone outside your household. If you are married and your spouse is not willing to hear the Lord, remain with them for as long as they’re willing to stay in that relationship, pray for them, love them, and speak to them to the extent they will hear…

1 Corinthians 7:13-15 (NKJV) And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him… But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

For as long as your spouse is not willing to hear the Lord, the Lord does not promise you unity with them, as if there is never going to be any debate or contention (Matthew 10:34), but the Lord does promise you peace, happiness, and a blessed life, as long as you keep your eyes on Him (Isaiah 26:3 and Psalms 1). 

Although the Lord doesn’t promise unity if someone refuses to receive His good news, continue to live at peace with them, as much as depends on you.

Romans 12:17-18 (NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

The reason why Paul says that we should live peaceably with people if it is possible, as much as it depends on us, is because not all contention is your fault. Of course, we should make amends when something is our fault, but as the saying goes, it takes two to tango. On our end, we can be peaceable with our spouse, or anyone else for that matter, but that does not necessarily mean that our relationships will be peaceable. That is a two-way street… Not all contention in a relationship is based on us… There’s another person at play here. A relationship can be contentious simply because of one party.

Even at times when you’re not saying anything to them, your forgiveness, submission, and love toward them can make the gospel you speak appealing to them (Titus 2:10). So that even without a word, they can become more inclined to hear you by seeing your example, repaying them good for evil.

1 Peter 3:1-2 (NKJV) Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

As to your children, if they are not willing to hear (specifically as they begin to get older), if they are in your care and in your house, you have the say over things like conduct, Bible reading, and church attendance. You may not be able to force them to hear Jesus for themselves, but you do certainly have control enough to give them opportunities to hear.

The same way that school, eating healthy, and their screen time are not optional, so things like church and Bible reading shouldn’t be optional either. Show them the love that God has shown you, but one huge way of doing that is to give them every opportunity to hear Jesus (Ephesians 4:15). 

One thing is for sure, even when people in your own household are not willing to hear, they receive fringe benefits simply because you believe in Jesus (1 Corinthians 7:14). And, with you and the household, they have the Holy Spirit there with them to convince them of the truth. They are blessed and set apart because you have your eyes on Jesus, so keep your eyes there and don’t give up… ever!

Bear in mind, the following advice is regarding friendships, not romantic relationships. You can enter into a friendship, even with people that still disagree with you, as long as they’re willing to hear. But you should never enter a romantic relationship until they know the Lord the same way that you do. Listen to our Romantic Relationships series for more. 

Lastly, regarding those who may have not been willing to hear, here is one extra point. As much as we should avoid the company of those who scorn the gospel, and perhaps limit our time with those that seem obstinate, there can also be a time of restoration…

If someone rejects your word, then you’re just throwing seed to the wayside every time you talk to them. They’re not going to be influenced for the better by you, so spending time with them is only putting your own heart at risk to be influenced by them. And yet, there could be a time where those relationships are restored again.

Remember, we’re not trying to push anybody away from us. We are gauging their receptiveness to the things that we speak and reacting to them. So, if it is found out that someone is more receptive to the gospel there should be restoration of more communication. We are waiting on them!

This scenario is a little bit different, but Paul told the church in Corinth to not allow a particular man amongst the church, who was involved in some open sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5). He was being a poor example openly amongst the church and was unrepentant of the immorality. So, Paul told the church to not allow him to be amongst them for a while. 

Of course, this is not saying that if someone sins that they can’t come to church. Otherwise, it would be an empty building. There’s a difference between sinning and openly advocating for something that is leading the church astray. When people begin spreading their sin amongst the church that’s a whole different story.

So, the church left the company of this man for a time to alleviate his influence on the rest, but after a while, Paul told Corinth that the time was sufficient and to restore him (2 Corinthians 2:6). Now, of course this is a different situation than what we’re talking about here, but there are some parallels.

Even for an unrepentant man, whom Paul said was not good for the church to hang out with, there was restoration after a time. I’m not sure if, when the church approached him, that the man was repentant and willing to change his thinking about the situation, but Paul was open to restoring the man to the church’s company. And likewise, even for people that you leave the company of, due to them not being receptive to the truth, there can be opportunity for restoration in the future.

Just because someone rejects the truth now does not necessarily mean that they’ll always reject it. This is just something you’re going to have to be led by the Lord on. It’s not worth pushing yourself back into a relationship if someone is genuinely still obstinate and refusing the truth. At the same time, people can change their minds and feeling somebody out to see where they stand is not always a bad thing if the Lord leads you. Sometimes people who are a footpath now, may be receptive ground later.

Just don’t force yourself into a relationship that God doesn’t want for you and don’t make excuses for people’s unbelief. Always love people, give people opportunity, but for those who have not been willing to hear, seek the Lord as to when and if restoration is possible with that person. The Lord knows, and you know as well in your born-again spirit.

All in all, keep your attention laser focused on Jesus and the things that we have spoken about regarding friendships will feel more and more natural to you as you grow. I pray that God’s grace would flow from inside of you and direct your decision making, regarding the people that you choose to keep company with. Using God’s wisdom with who you hang out with is a vital part of guarding the truth that God has entrusted to you.

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

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Length: 11 minutes

Recently we’ve been talking about two groups of people. There are those who believe and are growing in the same truth that you are. God says to never forsake assembling with these people. On the other hand, there are people who are not willing to hear the truth. After being given ample opportunity, the Bible says to shake the dust off your feet and move on. But what about everyone else in between?

There are tons of people who don’t believe the gospel (so they don’t fit in with the first group we spoke of, who believe the truth like you do), but they also have not rejected the gospel. Perhaps they are willing to hear what you have to say (so they don’t fit in with the second group either, who scorn the gospel). How much time should we devote to these people in the middle? Does God advocate hanging out with someone who disagrees, but is willing to hear? Let’s explain.

I believe this is perfectly sound logic based on what the Bible says. Here it is: God mentions two extremes. He mentions those who believe the gospel like you do and those who are closed off to the gospel. He advocates a lot of consistent time with that first group and He asks us to avoid the company of the second group. And so, if you were to draw that out in a diagram, you might draw it out like this (Image is included in the text version of this article).

As a sidenote: I want to say that this article series and this diagram have nothing to do with romantic relationships. There is no grey area in those relationships. Listen to our Romantic Relationships Series for more. 

In the diagram, we see a line segment. On one end, all the way to the left, it represents those who are growing in the gospel like we are. That extreme represents those who we should spend consistent time with. It provides a mutual encouragement in our growth. On the right side, that represents those that scorn or reject the gospel. That represents the extreme whom God asks us to avoid. And if one extreme is people we should consistently fellowship with and the other extreme represents those that we should avoid, what about someone who’s in the middle, who neither believes the truth, nor rejects it. Because of the timescale the Lord gives in the Bible, I believe it is sound to say that there is “some” time, or a “medium” amount of time, that we should devote to someone in the middle. 

This may seem overly analytical, but it’s important to understand. If a person is smack dab in the middle of those that God tells us to spend time with and those that God tells us to avoid, then I believe it is correct to say that we should neither spend all our time with these people, neither avoid these people. These are people who may not see the truth right now, but they’re willing to hear the gospel. All of us were this person at one point in time. If we did not spend time with people that disagreed, no one would ever get saved! Everyone needs a chance to grow out of their disagreement with the gospel. And God desires so strongly to give them the truth (Romans 10:14).

Now, please note this important point: When someone disagrees, but is willing to hear you, that still does not make them a fellow believer who is able to encourage you in your faith. When you hang out with people that don’t believe the gospel, but are willing to hear, there is not a mutual encouraging going on (Romans 1:12). These relationships should revolve more around you ministering to them, than seeking mutual fellowship with this type of person. Why? Because, unlike unified believers, they don’t know the truth to be able to minister to you. They don’t share the truth that you’re growing in, so mutual encouragement shouldn’t be sought here. 

If you’re seeking the truth, you’ll notice that your closest friends are the people who believe the truth like you do. That’s because you’re unified with them in the same mind, so naturally that makes for a closer friendship. The time you spend with people who don’t believe like you, but are willing to hear, ends up being you ministering to them, rather than relating or feeling unity with the way that they think. 

When you spend time with people “in the middle,” you should always be cautious that you’re being a good influence on them, and not running into the same activities, speech, and ways of thinking that they are (Galatians 6:1). They need to hear the truth, they need to be loved, the same way that you needed it, but there is no unity or agreement there yet. 

The problem is not with spending some of our time with people who are willing to hear. The problem is, most Christians look to relationships like this for unity, fellowship, and camaraderie. I’m not saying to cut off anyone who is willing to hear the gospel. Anyone who is willing to hear about Jesus is a friend of mine. But I know those that I have unity with. I have unity and kinship only with my brothers and sisters in Christ. And furthermore, even amongst my brothers and sisters, I only have “unity of the faith” with those who are growing in the same truth that I am (Ephesians 4:13). Those are the people that I seek out to spend time with on a consistent basis, so that they can encourage me and I can encourage them. You will not find this with someone that isn’t growing in the same truth.

We, in fact, have nothing in common with this world (2 Corinthians 6:15). While we have nothing more of our own works than the world does, we have been re-created in an image that is opposite to this world. And if the world is willing to hear you, speak the truth to them in love. Everybody needs to hear. But to seek out a unified relationship with someone that doesn’t believe, the same way you would with a brother or sister in Christ, is not the right way to go about it.

I’m not saying this to offend anyone, but if you are able to maintain a relationship with this world, in which you get along in a unified fashion, it’s simply because you think like they do. If you didn’t think like they did, you wouldn’t feel a sense of partnership or unity with them. 

I think that most believers can carry on with most unbelievers about sports, movies, celebrities, and culture, while sensing little to no disagreement. I’m not saying this to condemn you as if you were like this world. I’m saying this because you are not like this world but are simply thinking like it (Romans 12:2).

Anyone who is willing to hear the truth is a friend of mine, but if someone has not believed yet, I don’t carry a sense of unity with that person yet. I have something that they don’t, and that something is Jesus. That is not a small thing. I have a new country, culture, and way of doing things because of Him. I have been redeemed from this world. 

When I hang out with someone who doesn’t believe, it’s not because I feel unified with the way that they think, with the way that they do things, or the way that they speak. In fact, it should feel foreign. I don’t hang out with them the same way I would hang out with a like-minded believer. I hang out with them as my friend, because I love them and want to share my new country, culture, and ways of doing things with them — not to carry on about theirs. 

Even regarding a fellow believer who thinks much like this world, if I hang out with them, it ends up being more for the purpose of me ministering to them, than me seeking out mutual encouragement, as if I felt relative to the way that they think. The truth is, as much as I hate to say it, I don’t feel relative even with the way that most Christians think. For anyone who’s willing to hear, saved or unsaved, I am always willing to converse with them and be a friend to them (as long as they’re receiving), but my close friends, that I seek consistent time with, are still going to be those who believe like I do. 

Lastly, regarding those in the middle, what if someone is more or less receptive to the gospel than others? Well, based on the “time scale” that you find in the Bible, I would submit this principle: The more receptive someone is to the gospel, the more time I’m willing to devote to them. The less receptive someone is to the gospel, the less time I’m willing to devote to them. 

Truthfully, when your mind and your mouth revolve around the gospel, this type of thing just becomes natural. When you endeavor to think and speak the gospel, you will naturally gravitate toward those who are doing the same and will naturally distance yourself from those who are walking in a different direction. Your time will automatically look like that timescale we introduced from the Bible earlier. 

Also, the more that you speak about Jesus, the more that people themselves will naturally drift away or gravitate toward you, depending on their receptiveness, but even if you have to distance yourself from someone, keep this in mind: If you distance yourself from certain people, you’re not rejecting anyone. This is not about our personal like or dislike of anyone. We love everybody. This is based on their acceptance or rejection of what you have to say. We let people choose whether they want to accept or reject the truth that we speak. Based on their own acceptance or rejection, we choose to spend more or less time with that person. This is not about like or dislike. This is about them. This is about their receptiveness. The ball is in their court, not yours.

Never let anyone accuse you of rejecting them just because you pull away from their company, the more that they are disinterested in hearing your gospel. They need to know this: You are all about the gospel. Your whole life revolves around the gospel. There is not a version of you that comes packaged without the gospel. And if they find the gospel intolerable, they find your company intolerable, because your company and the gospel are synonymous. Talking to you means talking in line with Jesus. And if they’re ever receptive to hearing it, you have no problem sticking around. The truth is, a lot of people just want your company, without the gospel that you speak. And for those who are truly growing, this is not possible. 

All of this is wonderful information, but truthfully, none of this works unless you are diligently seeking the truth for yourself. If you’re not seeking Jesus for yourself, you won’t even know when friends are contradicting that knowledge, because you don’t know it well enough for yourself. But when your mind revolves around the knowledge of Jesus, your relationships will automatically revolve around this knowledge as well. So just get the knowledge of Jesus! 

You’ll start finding it uninteresting to hang out with the same crowd who go on and on from a worldly perspective, without interest in discussing the truth. You’ll feel like an outsider there. You’ll lack enthusiasm for the company of those who aren’t running headlong into the knowledge of Jesus. It will bore you when you start recognizing what’s truly important. But all of this is hinged on you seeking Jesus for yourself. None of this will work without it. 

When you are running headlong into the truth, you stop caring what color, what nationality, what occupation, what interests, what personality, or what hobbies the other person has. The kind of friends you want are the kind of friends that are interested in the truth. Your relationships start revolving around Jesus and what you know about Him. Friendships stop becoming about mutual interests in popular culture, or about sports, or media. They start becoming about Jesus. That is, when your mind becomes more focused on Jesus.

You’ll start seeking the company of fellow believers, and you’ll want to share in this wonderful knowledge (church is a great place to do that)! When someone in the middle is willing to hear you, you’ll want to share Jesus with them as well, though cautiously, not being influenced by them. And regarding those who reject the truth, you’ll automatically avoid their company, because they’re rejecting the one thing that you’re endeavoring to keep on your lips (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

Just seek the truth wholeheartedly for yourself and all of this happens naturally. If you spend your time like this, you will make the most of your time with people, and you will do well.

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Length: 10 minutes

If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you will know how the Bible heavily emphasizes the need to meditate on God’s word day and night. But did you know that God puts the people you hang out with on equal footing with meditating on His word? In fact, He sees them as the same endeavor.

Psalms 1:1-2 (NKJV) Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

God sees keeping company with the right people as important as meditating on His word. Notice that this particular “blessedness” that He speaks of in this chapter is only applicable to those who meditate on His word day and night. But He also provides one more condition. He says that this blessedness is only for those who don’t stand in the way of the unbeliever or sit with those who scorn the truth. This is talking about not hanging out with people who reject the gospel. 

Now why is this? God is conditioning His blessing on the people we hang out with. Is it because God’s blessings are conditioned on our works? Is it because we must do the right thing to be blessed? Not at all. The blessing of God is conditioned solely on our faith in Jesus (Roman’s 5:2). Nothing else! It just so happens that the people we hang out with have a direct influence on our faith! You may not have realized it, but the people you hang out with can influence your mind. And because of that, the people you hang out with have an indirect influence on your receiving from God! 

It’s not about the company we keep itself, but what they’re speaking into our minds. When we keep company with those that reject the gospel, we’re not protecting our minds, and that’s going to hinder the blessing of God in our life. Not because of the work itself, but because of the influence people can have in our minds. 

Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV) He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV) Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

There’s a direct correlation between those that we hang out with and what we think. Those who want to be wise, don’t hang out with those who are rejecting that wisdom, because people can influence our minds, even in ways that we don’t realize. And it’s for this reason, Psalms 1 says that the blessing of God, and our prosperity, is conditioned on who we keep company with. 

Now, I’m not talking about not hanging out with people who disagree with the gospel but are willing to hear what you have to say. If we avoided people like this, no one would get saved. Anyone who is willing to hear the gospel that I have to share, is a friend of mine, saved or unsaved. The problem is when someone disagrees with the gospel and is not willing or open to hear what you have to say.

We should certainly give people time and opportunity to hear us out, but there does come a time when the Lord will show you that this person is not currently willing to hear your gospel. That person is someone who has sinned against the gospel in unbelief, and they have scorned the truth. This is the type of person that Psalms 1 is referring to. That chapter says that we should not entertain people that scorn the gospel and don’t want to hear what you have to say.

You see, any time you hang out with people that don’t know the truth to the extent that you do (saved or unsaved), you need to be very careful. It can be a very good thing for them, but you need to be careful that you are influencing them toward the truth and that they are not influencing you toward their unbelief. This cannot be overstated. Hanging out with people that don’t understand the same truth that you do can influence you if you are not vigilant to keep your eyes on Jesus.

Now, if you hang out with someone who doesn’t know the truth, but is willing to hear you, that is an endeavor that we can cautiously undertake. If they are willing to hear your gospel, then love them and show them the truth, but with caution, so that you are not influenced by their mentality.

Galatians 6:1 (NKJV) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

On the other hand, when it comes to someone who mocks the things that you say, only wants to argue your points, or even politely avoids hearing you, after giving them opportunity, there comes a point when nothing is left for you to do for them. This is not the type of person to commit your time to. Granted, we need to have wisdom to judge when this is true of a person. Some people are hard nuts to crack at first, but don’t fool yourself. If they are not willing to hear you, then you move on to someone who will. 

What we’re talking about even has application to fellow believers many times. Probably more often than I’d like to admit. Of course, every believer agrees with the knowledge of Jesus to some extent (otherwise they wouldn’t be saved), but even believers can refuse large swaths of truth. So what we’re talking about even has application to believers who, to large extent, won’t receive the truth that the Lord has shown you. 

If they are not willing to hear you, then you move on to someone who will. This is the advice Jesus gave His disciples when He sent them out to preach.

Matthew 10:14 (NKJV) And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

Verse 23) When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. 

You see, when someone disagrees with you, but is willing to hear you, even that should be taken with caution, so that you are not influenced by their mentality. But for someone that is not willing to hear you for now, there is no chance that you will get through to them. There’s only the risk for you to be influenced by them. And that risk is not worth it, because they are not willing to entertain your words.

I’m not saying that this is everybody and I’m not saying that just because someone isn’t willing to hear you now, doesn’t mean they won’t be willing to hear you in the future. At the same time, not everybody accepts the truth. For those who are not now willing to accept the truth, you will not get through to them. You are throwing seed on a footpath, to the wayside (Mark 4:4). They neither understand what you are saying, nor will they, because they are not open to receive the seed.

If there is a person who disagrees with you, but is willing to hear you. Speak to that person. If there is a person that disagrees with you, and despite opportunity, is not willing to hear you, trust the Lord to give you judgment to recognize this type of person. This is the kind of person that God does not advise you keep company with. 

Romans 16:17 (NKJV) Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

It might seem strange that we are to love our neighbor and yet avoid certain people. Those are not contradictory statements. If there was anything you could do to help someone, God wouldn’t advocate you avoid them. But people who scorn the gospel cannot be helped. The only way that God empowers people to salvation is through His gospel (Romans 1:16). Without them hearing, God can’t help them. And if God can’t, who are you? All that’s left is potential risk for you to be influenced by them. 

Some may think, “But people are going to hell! How could you ever avoid the company of someone? Every life counts!” It’s absolutely true that every life counts, but let me tell you what will happen if you persist in hanging out with people who aren’t open to the gospel. In your endeavor to save this person or make them see, your mind will be influenced by them (as Proverbs 13:20 says). And you will, in turn, make yourself a less effective minister to all the other people in the world who are actually willing to hear you, thus causing more people to go to hell, because you spent all your time on someone who wouldn’t hear, sacrificing your own clarity of mind, and wasting the word you know on the wayside, that Mark 4:4 speaks of. That is what will happen. 

Trust Jesus. Take his advice. If they aren’t interested in the gospel you know, hang out with someone else. You’ll preserve your own mind, and make yourself a more effective minister for those other valuable souls that actually want to hear. 

It’s so important who we hang out with. That’s why Psalms 1 says that the man who delights in the law of God will simultaneously not sit amongst those who scoff at it. Only then will they receive the blessing of God. Only then will they be like a tree planted by rivers of water, prospering in whatever they do. God didn’t say to just meditate on His word. He said, meditate on His word and don’t sit with those who reject it. 

You see, even if you believe that you are receiving the word of God but persist in hanging out with people that scoff at it, you’re opening yourself up to their deception and are jeopardizing even the word that you are receiving. It’s like receiving the seed and then choking it out right after. You may be receiving seed, but because of all the other input you’re receiving as well, this is going to keep you from the benefits and the fruitfulness that the word can produce.

God told Abram that he had to leave the company of his idol worshiping family and then He would be able to bless him and make his name great. Why do you think God told him to leave the company of his family? Well, because God’s blessing is conditioned on faith, and it seems evident that God knew Abram’s faith would not be able to flourish amongst his idol worshipping family. Therefore, God told Abram to leave the company of his kindred first, and then He would bless him. If Abram had not left the company of his family, being influenced, or slowed by their beliefs, I do not think we would know Abram as the example of faith he is today (Joshua 24:2, Genesis 12:2).

God loves everybody, but people must be willing to receive “His seed” (His word) for it to make a difference. There are too many people who want to hear your truth for you to spend your time with people who will only pull you in their direction, not willing to walk toward yours.

So, keep constant company with those who believe like you do so that you are encouraged in your faith. Speak to people who disagree with you but are willing to hear you. And avoid sitting amongst those who don’t welcome the gospel that you preach. You will find that your faith will be immensely benefited, as well as those who are willing to hear you.

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Length: 6 minutes

As a believer, a top priority for you (aside from spending time with the Lord personally) should be to get together with other believers, who seek the truth.

Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV) …not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

The writer of Hebrews says that we should never neglect getting together with other believers. Especially since, as the day of Jesus’ return approaches, the world will only become more and more deceived. And we are living in those days.

As a believer, you go to work, you go to school, you spend time with family members, you watch TV, etc. Most of these things are full of unbelief and things that contradict the knowledge of what Jesus has done for you. They’re not reminding you of heavenly things. Most of these things speak from a worldly perspective. You have things all day long that are speaking to you from a mentality that is void of Christ. Not to mention just your own experiences that can try to distract you from who you are in Jesus! Therefore, in addition to spending our own time with the Lord, we need to surround ourselves with people that are going to be a good influence on us! We need to surround ourselves with people that will speak the truth of Christ to us, even when we are not thinking right for ourselves. We need people around us who will encourage us in the gospel, even when we may not be seeing straight ourselves, and vice versa.

Of course, a great place to start friendships like this is church. Some people say, “But I don’t have to go to church to be saved.” And to that I would say, “Of course you don’t have to go to church to be saved, but if you are saved, you’ll want to go to church.” Why would I say that? Because if you are truly endeavoring to keep your mind on Jesus, then you would take all the help you could get in that endeavor. And part of that help that we all need is being amongst other believers, at what we would call today “Church.”

Every single time we have ever seen someone’s church attendance get more and more sparse is because there’s a deeper issue in their mind that is causing it. In all my life, I’ve never seen a person’s church attendance dwindle because they were growing in their knowledge of Jesus. Now, if you want to stop going to one church and go to another because you believe the truth is more accurate there, by all means! But I’m not talking about changing churches. When church attendance starts getting sparse, it can be because of shame, guilt, distraction with the cares of this life, but whatever it is, the lack of desire to get together with other believers is never coming from a good mentality. In fact, it’s for things like shame, guilt, and the cares of this life That we need to be around other believers.

Wouldn’t the devil love that? To distract you from the word of God with things in this life, and then to keep you away from other believers who could remind you of who you are and keep you on track! Going to church, and being around other believers in general, is so vitally important. 

I don’t mean just hanging out with people that say they’re saved. I mean hanging out with people that are genuinely seeking the truth like you are! Their knowledge is probably not perfect, and they will say and do silly things, just like you will as you grow, but at least they are growing in the truth! And if you don’t have friends that are believers, in time, make some! Go to a church that is teaching what Jesus did for you (*cough* Reform Church *cough*). Sit under that teaching and soak it in! Take every opportunity you can get to sit under that teaching. And in time, meet other believers that are growing like you are! 

Now, granted, there are some believers that are genuinely saved, go to church, but are resistant to much of the truth that you believe. Unfortunately, that is the case sometimes, but I’m specifically talking about those who can be an encouragement to you in the gospel, and vice versa. Some people may be your brothers and sisters in Christ, but they are still resistant to much of the gospel. And if there is sufficient resistance, spend your time elsewhere. There are other believers that are seeking the gospel like you are. The point is to be an encouragement one to another, and if that is not possible, even with a believer, then move on to someone that you can encourage. We will talk more about that in the future.

Romans 1:12 (NKJV) that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

The most important relationships that you can develop are going to be with like-minded believers… hands-down. Those are the relationships that will help you stay focused on the truth. And likewise, you can help them stay focused on the truth as well. These relationships keep the church growing in a healthy way, learning Jesus with the fewest distractions possible. 

Psalms 119:63 (NKJV) I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.

Now, even with like-minded believers, don’t expect that their actions are perfect and that they’re always going to treat you right, never betray you, and never leave your side. We need to trust the Lord, not man. And don’t stop going to church, just because you had a falling out with someone. That’s just silly. Reconcile with that person. If believers can’t grow to forgive one another, love one another, and have the humility to apologize to one another, then who in this world can? And if someone does refuse to reconcile with you, then make a new believing friend, but a good church is still the best place for believers to get together and influence one another. So, cultivate those relationships.

You may not realize this, but as we renew our minds, we pick up habits, traits, and ways of thinking from the people we hang out with, completely unbeknownst to us. The people around us can normalize and solidify our wrong ways of thinking, or they can challenge them and normalize better ways of thinking. I have seen it firsthand, the night and day difference in people, when they pull away from the company of believers or start spending too much time around the world. They won’t even realize anything looks different, but it does.

If someone is going to rub off on me subliminally, accidentally, if need be, I’d rather it be a believer who’s learning the same truth that I am. We might do ourselves some good to ask if the people we spend most of our time with are people that we actually want rubbing off on us, because the company you keep is what you’re choosing to expose your mind to. 

Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV) He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

You cannot do your knowledge of the Lord a better service than to go to a good church and to also hang around other believers on a consistent basis. Aside from the Lord, you simply will not develop a more important relationship in all your life, than to develop relationships with fellow believers who are seeking the Lord and learning the same truth that you are.

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