Question:
So it just so happens, I am best friends with an unbeliever. As I was reading over the other threads here about people who dated unbelievers, it seems like that passage says we must not take confidence with unbelievers, which I have. Yet in taking confidence with this person, only good things have happened to my faith. Am I really looking at this passage too seriously? I don't want to hurt her feelings, and I don't want to lose her.
Answer:
I take it you are referring to the passage about being unequally yoked with unbelievers. Let's just look at what a yoke is:
It's a wodden bar that is used to attach two oxen into a partnership. When two oxen are yoked together, they have to work together at all times, they have to work at the same pace, and they are commited to each other. In your friendship with this other girl, you aren't in a relationship where you have to progress together. You aren't held together ina way that requires you to walk the same way and at the same pace. Being friends is not indicative of being "yoked together" with another.
While, biblically, this situation is not sinful, it can be difficult. It's great that you are being an influence in this girl's life, but it'd be wise if you have other Christian friends who can help support you and keep you on track if her influence on you starts to pull you in her direction.
Answer:
Oh goody Thanks.
Answer:
I totally agree with Chris. What I've been told and tend to agree with is this:
As long as you're being more of an influence on your unbelieving friends then they are influencing you then generally it's ok. If she starts maybe leading you in a different direction than you want to go then it's bad.
But though it's not sinful, I have personally found it hard to be good friends with many unbelievers. I think you will definitely find that you need some good Christian friends too.
Dating unbelievers is a whole different issue that I would strongly advise against...but that's for another thread.
Answer:
I've struggled with the same issue. More than half of my friends aren't Christians.
Answer:
yet when you look at yoke in the original context
it is not referring to an ox's yoke
it is referring to the beliefs of the rabbi
and it is talking of how each rabbi has his own "yoke"
And they each vary from each other....
Basically it says you both need to belief in the same thing....
and not have different beliefs.....
and originally I was goin somewhere with this
But then I couldn't find it.....
so I went with what I found....
and I basically said the same thing....
and I'm not exactly sure what I said is right
but I think it is...I don't have my greek-english dictionary to make absolutly sure.....
Answer:
Originally Posted by RawkforChrist yet when you look at yoke in the original context
it is not referring to an ox's yoke
it is referring to the beliefs of the rabbi
and it is talking of how each rabbi has his own "yoke"
And they each vary from each other....
Basically it says you both need to belief in the same thing....
and not have different beliefs.....
and originally I was goin somewhere with this
But then I couldn't find it.....
so I went with what I found....
and I basically said the same thing....
and I'm not exactly sure what I said is right
but I think it is...I don't have my greek-english dictionary to make absolutly sure.....
Yes, but this can be translated into any type of realtionship that works as a partnership, or requires that you be moving together in the same direction. A regular friendship does not require this.
Answer:
I have a few none christian friends.
The toughest part of these friendships is that they can be good friends but they aren't someone I can share my life with like I can with sisters in Christ.
Answer:
I always think of it like this:
Friends I try to influence: Non-Christians, less mature Christians
Friends who I let influence me: more mature Christians.
So far it's worked a treat.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Chris Yes, but this can be translated into any type of realtionship that works as a partnership, or requires that you be moving together in the same direction. A regular friendship does not require this.
As I said
I basically ended up saying the same thing you did
lol
Answer:
Originally Posted by RawkforChrist As I said
I basically ended up saying the same thing you did
lol
yeah, my thoughts just came out a little less choppy. (^_^)