Wednesday: Mingling Wisely
A speaker asked a group to tell how many “non-Adventist friends” they had. One man in the back of the room stood up and triumphantly proclaimed, “I’m proud to say none!” That man might have meant well, but his words said a lot about what kind of light to the world he was.
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
As we saw already, Matthew 5:13 says we are the salt of the earth, but this salt can lose its savor. A merchant in Sidon had stored much salt in sheds with a bare earth floor. Because the salt was in direct contact with the earth, it lost its savor. This salt was thrown out and used to pave roads. In the same way, we need to be careful as we mingle with the world: Are we letting the world rob us of our unique savor? Are our values the same as the world’s?
What can we learn from these stories about how not to mingle with the world? Gen. 13:5-13, Gen. 19:12-26, Num. 25:1-3; see also 1 John 2:16.
These biblical examples illustrate the need for caution in mingling with people who live by the worldly values listed in 1 John 2:16. We fool ourselves if we think that we must not use caution or that there’s no danger of getting caught up in the fallen principles of the world. At the same time, what good are we going to be to others if we hide ourselves from others in order not to be negatively impacted by their ways?
Note this wise and balanced counsel: “Now, shall professed Christians refuse to associate with the unconverted, and seek to have no communication with them? No, they are to be with them, in the world and not of the world, but not to partake of their ways, not to be impressed by them, not to have a heart open to their customs and practices. Their associations are to be for the purpose of drawing others to Christ.” – Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 3, p. 231.
| How many non-Adventist friends do you have? What is the nature of your relationship? Who is influencing whom more, you them or they you? |
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I was interested to see the mention of the merchant from Sidon in the 2nd paragraph of the Lesson. I believe the account comes from "The Land and the Book" vol.2, p.43-44. A slightly broader context might be of interest to some of the readers here.
“...I have often seen just such salt, and the identical disposition of it that our Lord has mentioned. A merchant of Sidon having farmed of the government the revenue from the importation of salt, brought over an immense quantity from the marshes of Cyprus - enough, in fact, to supply the whole province for at least 20 years. This he had transferred to the mountains, to cheat the government out of some small percentage. Sixty-five houses in June - Lady Stanhope’s village were rented and filled with salt. These houses have merely earthen floors, and the salt next the ground, in a few years, entirely spoiled. I saw large quantities of it literally thrown into the street, to be trodden underfoot by people and beasts. It was ‘good for nothing.’"
Dear father thank you for your Word and encouragement this morning . Today you reminded me that I am the salt of the earth and that I need to lend that savor to those around me in need of a savior . Please help me to mingle in a way that will always bring honor and glory to your name. Amen
Raised an Adventist Christian, I was often warned against associating with or having non-Adventst or "worldly" friends. Now, years later, after several challenging life experiences, I"m so thankful that God doesn't mind having me as His friend or His child, even though I'm in this world. I've helped and been helped by many who are 'in the world'. Each experence has often given me an opportunity to witness or receive encouragement.
The Lesson asks: How many non-Adventist friends do you have? What is the nature of your relationship? Who is influencing whom more, you them or they you?
After working in church work for most of my life, I suddenly found myself cut off from the daily contact of Adventists colleagues and have had to forge new relationships. I am by nature fairly introverted so I do not need to seek out social contact for some sort of fulfillment, but I am surprised and delighted at the opportunities that have come my way. Many of my new friends have no connection with the church at all and most of them are not religious (although some are deeply spiritual). Importantly we are not dependent on one another for our social life, but meet when our common interests coincide, enjoying one another's company.
Its funny how most adventist wish they could spend the rest of their lives at a campmeeting as a way of avoiding the temptations they meet in the world. God needs us in our various communities and the 'world' to reconcile the world to Him through us.
Your point is taken Donovan, but what do we do and where to we go. The readership of this blog needs many more examples of mingling with those that are not of our faith and the unchurched.
Maurice, as you know I have been around for a good many years. I have seen many trends come and go. Intentions are plentiful. The world needs to be repopulated on a regular basis. The goals are much the same with each passing generation. All of the missionary emphasis and needs are as timely as ever. Our focus may need to be sharpened a bit from time to time. Matthew 28:18,19.
As long as i live Lord help me to be a taste just like salt in the community ...sometimes we are enticed n moved by the wold.how i pray that we depend upon christ to b the best n testy salt ever in Jesus name Amen
I wold like to give a testimony, I was raised SDA, I married a non SDA, my sister in law LOVED purple lipstick, makes your teeth whiter, she said. I fell right into the trap of Satan!!! I started wearing it also, along with mascara and eyeliner just like her, then an Elderly Lady in our church told me her testimony, she LOVED red lipstick, once she found the truth in church SDA she gave her red lipstick up, might I add it was hard!!!.....That day I gave up my purple, she was right, that was how i was raised. Modest, be modest, no of the world, I had fallen and didn't realize it.
In the big picture of Christianity lipstick rates pretty low in importance. Cups of cold water, looking after the needy, visiting the lonely are the big ticket items we should be thinking about. When we look after the weightier matters of compassion and understanding the smaller things fall into place.
Yes Maurice. I wonder what else may need changing in importance beside purple lipstick. As you know the younger generation has temptations more than enough to keep us involved.
The point I was making was, how could I work in the community for God when I was "fake". I lost site in God. I was lost myself. I was of this world. Today that non SDA that I married, might I say he is now the Elder of a small Church who is preaching to me!!!(and the congregation where we attend) The one who had it all, SDA schooling and rearing. My point is some of us SDA need to look deep inside and see who we really are. Are we a child of God? Or are we the wolf in sheep's clothing. How can we go out into the community, when we are not true to ourselves, I had become fake, how could I truly ministry for God? I still need a heart transplant. Pray for each other
Kristina, it seems you are focused on the cause, which was only reflected in the symptom. The others seem to be merely measuring/comparing symptoms, with some being "worse" than others. Still they are only symptoms, and until the cause is understood and fixed, more symptoms will replace the others. Yes, the new heart is the cure for all the symptoms, however small or large they might be in the eyes of some.
The question; "How many non-SDA friends...?" isn't clear on what type of friends. Friends are usually those who we associate with, attend various activities with, etc.
God was clear that Israel was not to be friends with the nations, yet they were to bring the light of Truth to them through following God's commandments, laws and statutes which would bring true prosperity and thus draw others to inquire of their ways and their God. At a time when gods were seen as important, this living testimony from a faithful nation would have had far-reaching effect on many.
Our friendships must not lead us into wrong paths, and like Israel of old, we are to preserve our faith by not mingling with unbelief, yet this does not mean to be unfriendly, but rather to be a true friend in time of need. This need is always measured by eternity and the purposes of God for all of Adam's fallen race. None are to be excluded from the reach of Grace, yet our mingling must be as salt, with a purpose, not merely for amusement while risking contamination and loss of the heavenly character while sojourning in this present world. This danger is always present, even within the church itself, and our being yoked with Christ must remain constant and all friendships for the purpose of serving as Jesus served; to save.
It does us good to examine the purpose of our friendships. We are all very much aware that friendships for all the wrong reasons can lead us astray. On the other hand we also must realise that successful evangelism is best based on Christian friendship. I develop friendships based on mutual interests, academic pursuits, community projects and so on. I do that because I am part of a wider community than the church. Those friendships provide me with the opportunity for spiritual interaction.
I don't pretend that all of those friendships are plain sailing. At academic conferences I have had to deal with friends who are behaving inappropriately after getting drunk. That is uncomfortable but as a Christian I must be prepared to handle that sort of situation. I don't deliberately set out to go to meals where people get drunk, but where those meals are part of the academic conference landscape, I go, prepared to be useful. And usually I am thanked when sobriety returns.
I am not encouraging every Seventh-day Adventist to go to meals where people get drunk. Conference meals were part of my working life and I had to make a conscious decision about going and about how I would interact with my colleagues. Preparation was necessary. You don't drive on rough roads without ensuring your tires are in good shape and appropriate to the road condition!
A comparison was made between instruction given to Israel at the occupation of Canaan and recmmended practices for God"s people today. But I believe that is a false parallel.
1. The Canaanites living ín the land had already been judged, and their probation was over. (I trust no one will judge that their meighbors' probation is over.)
2. After the ìnitial possession of the land, the Israelites were supposed to be a light to the world.
3. Jesus taught that we are to be salt and yeast to the world. Both salt and yeast are essentially useless unless mixed with food/ dough.
4. Christ's example included mingling with people on social occasions. The crucial difference between Him and some of us is that He always had their best interests in mind and never His own benefit. (Is it fair to say that self-interest lies at the root of all "mingling" that is spiritually detrimental?)
Inge, when you get opportunity, read PP chapter 41 to see how the example of Israel is to be understood for today.
Jesus did not mingle to be amused and never encouraged or applauded ungodliness. He came as a savor of life, and could only do this by keeping "himself unspotted from the world".
This was the purpose of the restrictions upon Israel of old and still today for God's people (James 1:27). Yet, in Jesus we are shown how to properly mingle with sinners in order to bring salvation within their reach.
I am impressed by the responses but except for a few of them, I am left at a loss how I should mingle as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. My friends are primarily non-Seventh-day Adventists. They have parties where there is wine and all types of food. Sometimes their jokes are off-colour. They love to go for weekend trips and have reunions. I tell them I'd love to go with them but I worship from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Sometimes they accommodate me by rearranging their schedules. They dance, they sing secular songs, sometimes they use mildly inappropriate language. Yet, I am more comfortable with them than with my brothers and sisters whom I worship with and with whom I would like to form friendships. I also work in an environment where there are Seventh-day and non-Seventh day Adventist Christians and those who have not committed their lives to the Lord. I observe that we as Seventh-day Adventists tend to have non-Seventh-day Adventist friends and tend not to befriend one another. The point of my comment is what are practical ways to mingle with others who are not Seventh-day Adventists.
What does Jesus ask of His followers? What is our great commission? What practical ways did Jesus serve people during His life among men? Study His Example and pray for wisdom and understanding to follow Him.
For additional information, read books such as "Gospel Workers", "Christian Service" and "Evangelism" for more practical ways.