The Ones That Need Our Distancing….

Christians often forget by believing the world has good intentions, we polute our own drinking water. Jesus never told us to stay away from sinners. That would mean we need to isolate ourselves from everyone, including ourselves. However, we do need to stay away from those who claim they are not sinners, for we know this can’t be true. Anyone who promotes sinful behavior and claims it will help us, or advises things that would distance us from God, these are the ones that need our distancing. Believe it or not, there are people we need to stay away from. This doesn’t mean never speak to them. It just means be careful in choosing your friends and acquaintances. If you don’t, you risk the chance of blending in. The world’s influence never benefits those who have their eyes on the world to come.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us. 7 For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. 10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15a