Question from a friend of WordTruth Ministries:
>>>Should a born-again Christian get involved with people of different
faiths such as Roman Catholic?
WordTruth.Com Response:
Thank you for your question. This is an area of faith in which so many
Christians stumble. Let me try to answer this question from two perspectives:
being "friends" and becoming romantically involved with someone. Also,
keep in mind that there are really only two distinctions of people in the
world: born-again Christians and unbelievers. You can find both types
involved protestant and Roman Catholic churches. Whether you have
a "protestant" label (Baptist, Methodist, Assemblies of God, etc.) or Roman
Catholic or Buddhist or Muslim or no label at all, the critical issue is
whether you have ever personally repented of your sin (Acts 3:19) and trusted
in the LORD Jesus Christ who died for your sins and rose victoriously from
the grave (Rom. 10:9-10) -- praise be to His holy name! See the related
discussion in How You Can Be Sure About Heaven.
In the first case, I see nothing wrong with casual friendships among
Christians and non-Christians. In fact, this was the example of our LORD
Jesus Himself during His earthly ministry. He associated with prostitutes,
tax-collectors, and sinners as well as the "religious" people. His purpose
was always redemptive for "it
is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call
the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:31-32, NIV).
This is how we need to approach casual relationships with unbelievers --
with redemptive love and godly wisdom. When the opportunity presents itself
(through prayer and God opening the person's heart), share the gospel of
salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Be careful not to develop close,
intimate friendships with the ungodly: "Do
not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character'" (1 Cor. 15:33, NIV).
In the second case, a Christian should never pursue a romantic relationship
with an unbeliever. It will ultimately lead to the close, intimate friendship
mentioned previously. Also, it can lead to marriage and sexual union.
The Bible is absolutely clear at this point: "Do
not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness
have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Cor.
6:14, NIV). Marriage is a total union of two individuals:
body, mind, and spirit (Genesis 2:24). If this is the situation you are
describing, then I would recommend you give the gentleman the gospel of
Jesus Christ which is the "hope"
he really needs (Colossians 1:27).
May the LORD Jesus Christ bless you with His wisdom and the courage
to follow Him!
Randy Lariscy :-)
Director - WordTruth Ministries
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Copyright 5/14/2000, Randy Lariscy.
