Are You Biblical In Your Relationships?
2 Chronicles 19:1-2, "And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD."
Jehoshaphat was rebuked by the prophet Jehu for aligning himself with the wicked kings of Israel. He militarily aligned himself with king Ahab, 2 Chronicles 18:1, (read 1 Kings 16:30 & 33 to learn about Ahab), and later with Ahaziah, in a trading venture, who is described in 2 Chronicles 20:35 as one "...who did very wickedly." Jehu's query contains two parts, "...Shouldest thou help the ungodly..." and, should you "...love them that hate the LORD?" Now before we address these questions I shall give you the prophets answer, he stated "...wrath is upon thee from before the LORD." God was displeased with Jehu's alignment with these wicked haters of God.
First, should we help the ungodly in advancing his cause? Should we help such an one as Ahab, an idolater, murderer, and persecutor of God's prophets? The obvious answer is NO. Second, should we love them that hate the LORD? Should we love one who hates God and His laws, His worship, and His ordinances. The obvious answer is NO according to Scripture. We must, however, qualify our answers. We know the Lord wants us to love the souls of all men, and do whatever we can to see them come to Christ. However, we can, and should despise the fact that someone hates God and His laws. Also, God does not want us to join in helping people to continue in their idolatry, murder, and persecution of God's prophets and people. Jehoshaphat had overstepped the principle of separation in his life. The Lord did not bless his alignment with Ahab or Ahaziah. We must guard ourselves; many people ignore the principle of separation taught in the Bible. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 says, "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 and infidel? 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 touchnot 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."
May we guard our associations, being careful not to overstep God's command concerning Biblical separation. Let's not repeat the sin of Jehoshaphat in this matter of associations. You can't align yourself with people who are ungodly and who hate the LORD!
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. Do you have some ties to people who do not love the Lord? What is the nature of those ties?
2. Are you advancing the cause of evil by being supportive of those who are evil? What does God say about this kind of association?
3. What might you do in order to break ties with some ungodly associations?