Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14
Depending on the situation, the Lord may allow a friendship
or a family relationship to go on in a close way
This may be a working relationship, a colleague or a neighbor.
Paul encouraged us as much as is possible live at peace with all
If it is possible, as much as depends on you,
live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18
When it comes to close friends, the division can be strong
if one serves the Lord and the other does not
I have experienced a Grace for a time in these relationships,
it’s as though the Lord gives them a chance, to hear the truth
and gives them an opportunity to come to Jesus
If they refuse, that Grace will leave and there can be no more fellowship
It might be a situation that occurred or an impasse of some kind
It can also just be a realization that we two are unequally yoked
and at the core, there is no fellowship, just emptiness
I have had things happen both situationally,
they changed jobs or they moved
as well as a situation occurred where we could no longer meet
Once an old friend believed that she met Prince
and Prince wanted to marry her. I told her that I could not lie to her
and pretend to believe this
She never wanted to speak to me again after that
We had been friends for almost 30 years
She heard and refused the gospel during many conversations
I often wondered if she would receive the gospel at some point,
she never did and I believe the Lord removed me from her life
If we put our lives in God’s hands and all those relationships we have,
keep praying for those people we love and see what happens
If He removes them, we must accept that our work is done,
that His Grace has been lifted and that we are to keep going forward
in our walk with Him, not stopping for anyone or anything
If God puts someone in our path,
that does not mean they will be there forever
We are to do our work as is fitting,
as the Lord commands us,
do all we know to do, pray, fast, and preach the gospel
Knowing the Lord is not a forced experience
and we need to let go if and when it is time
For we cannot carry our crosses daily
and be unequally yoked together with unbelievers