‘None of them belonged to us.’ 1 John 2:19 NIV
There are some people in life we get along with well, and others we don’t. And in some cases, we’re not supposed to! Now let’s be clear: we’re not talking about being unloving, insensitive, or divisive. Paul says, ‘Do all… you can to live in peace with everyone.’ (Romans 12:18 NLT) We’re talking about people God specifically tells us to break away from. When it comes to those who don’t belong in your life, here are two things to consider.
First, there’s the revelation. The Bible says: ‘They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us… if they had… they would have remained… but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.’ Just like you can’t fit a square peg in a round hole, or mix oil and water, there are people who simply don’t belong in your life.
Second, there’s the separation. Paul said: ‘Do not be yoked together with unbelievers… what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?… what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them… walk among them… be their God, and they will be My people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate… and I will receive you.”… “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters.”’ (2 Corinthians 6:14–18 NIV)
Bottom line: when God tells you a relationship is not right for you, listen, and obey Him.
SoulFood: Eph 5:21–33, S of S 2:1–7, Ps 45, Prov 5:15–19
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©