I have friends AND relatives who are in all stages of life, believers, unbelievers, babes in Christ, apostates and even a heretic or two. But one thing I know, that friendships are not the same as fellowship. I will pray with those I can fellowship with, those in the 'friend' category, I do not pray for them.....or heaven forbid WITH them but I do express sympathy or any other appropriate emotion as any friend would do. Ecumenism has blurred the lines between the connection with friends and fellowships.
Do we heed these scriptures?
"Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not listen when they call to Me because of their disaster.
Jeremiah 11: 14
KJV 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (an infidel is an unbeliever)
16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Paul's letters to Timothy are filled with advice on how to deal with this.
The people in my life that know where I stand on all my doctrine either agree or don't ask! Do yours?
Do we heed these scriptures?
"Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not listen when they call to Me because of their disaster.
Jeremiah 11: 14
KJV 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (an infidel is an unbeliever)
16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Paul's letters to Timothy are filled with advice on how to deal with this.
The people in my life that know where I stand on all my doctrine either agree or don't ask! Do yours?