Relationships
My mother pointed out that with nonbelievers we can’t be as intimate as we can with our brothers in CHRIST< OUR INTIMACY WITH CHRIST CREATES A DEEPER INTIMACY WITH THEM>
I see four levels of relationships.
1. Intimacy with Christians who are intimate with God.
2. Relationships with people who claim to be Christians (don’t go to church or are social churchgoers). It’s not possible to have that spiritual intimacy because they really don’t have an intimate relationship with God. They don’t have a surrendered and victorious relationship with Christ.
3. Acquaintances with non-believers. I know many good people that aren’t believers and are easier to love on them than many people who call themselves Christians.
4. Firm boundaries with people that are being used by the enemy. I think it’s important to set boundaries with people being used by the enemy or else you will be deceived. The enemy will use these people to distract, detain, and drain you; offend or anger you, and keep you from being effective salt and light in others lives.
Lastly, the blood of Christ is thicker than the blood of man. If we are in Christ our relationships with other Christians is to be closer than even our own blood relatives.
