A Complicated Relationship

Because I am involved in a teaching ministry I spend time reading books that will help me grow spiritually during the week. Those of you who read my blog know that twice a week I do this at a local coffee shop. But every other day I read at the food court of a shopping center near my house. It is not always easy trying to study with all of the noise. Reading at the coffee shop is especially hard because I am surrounded by people who are laughing and talking with their friends.

My house is less than five minutes from the shopping center. There I could read and meditate on what I am reading in perfect peace. Why then do I choose to study at a food court instead? In January I made a decision to do this because I felt isolated from the lost people of my community.

A number of believers today believe that our goal should be to redeem the culture we live in. This refers to meeting all the physical needs of those around us. While there is a need for the love of Christ to be displayed, redeeming the culture is not the churches main goal. Fulfilling the great commission is. So I feel that those believers are wrong even though they show a great zeal for the work of God.

But there is another group of believers who have a very different relationship with the unsaved. They choose to separate themselves from the world completely. This decision is usually based upon the Scripture passage where Believers are encouraged to, “come out from among them (unsaved) and be separate.1”

I totally agree that we live in a wicked and depraved world. I also believe strongly that God desires for us to be different in the way we live. But this verse does not tell us to isolate ourselves from the world. The context of this passage refers to Christians worshipping with the pagans in Corinth. It can also refer to any relationship that is detrimental to the testimony of a Christian. This would be a situation where a Believer begins to act like the unsaved person he or she is close with.

It is very important that we as Believers interact with the unsaved around us. For one thing we are commanded to be lights to a dark world.2 We are also commanded to have a strong testimony before the lost that will lead them to God.3 It is hard to do either of these things without interacting with the unsaved. This separation from the world actually ends up hurting our testimony.

These people run the risk of becoming part of what I call the “christian bubble”. I actually wrote a post on this subject in December, but those who live in this bubble interact with Christians exclusively. It is a wonderful thing to have fellowship with other Believers. But if we only spend time with other saved people, how will we complete the great commission?

Another risk is taking up what is called the “bunker mentality” as it relates to the unsaved culture. This philosophy is explained in detail in other books.4 The basic point of it is separation from every part of the world (tv, movies, music, etc.). This is usually done to keep a holy relationship that honours God. While a Godly lifestyle should be our goal the bunker mentality completely ignores the command to be lights to the lost world. It is hard to be a light for Christ in the christian bubble. It is impossible if you are in a bunker.

We have been called by God to have a relationship with the unsaved. This is a very complex relationship because much of what they do is sinful in the eyes of God. But at the same time we must be involved with them if they are going to hear the Gospel of Christ. The good part is that it isn't hard starting these complex relationships. Sometimes it can be done by something as simple as where you study during the week.

1II Corinthians 6:14-18
2Matthew 5:14
3Matthew 5:15
4Walt Mueller, Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture, pgs.134-154