Today we find that there is confusion among the believers about ‘how to relate to the people around us’. We generally label the people who are not believers as the people of the world, and we call ourselves ‘the people of the word’. There are many sermons from the pulpits to safeguard us from the people of the world and to avoid mingling with them lest we fall into their traps and follow their ways. To support these we find scripture references also. Acts 2:40,2 Cor 6:14,1 Jn 2:15

Do these verses mean that we should stay away from the unbelievers? Then, "how about our friends who are not Christians?’ Do we have to then break our friendship with them? There are some fellowships insist on such separation.

This was exactly the same pattern followed b the Pharisees and the religious leaders of .Jesus time, who segregated themselves from others whom the thought not obeying the law to every detail. When they found .Jesus associating himself with such outcasts they’ accused him to his disciples. ( Matt 9:11

Suppose if all the believers disassociate themselves from the unbelievers who then will go and tell them the good news of Christ? Can we expect them to know the gospel by themselves and to be saved automatically? There is nobody here born again in that way. (Rom 10:13-15) The Lord’s great commission is to GO into the world and preach the Gospel. (Matt 28:19)

Some verses say not to associate with unbelievers, but Jesus say "go". Then where to draw a line. Let us read I Jn 2:15, John 3:16 The implication is that we are to love the people of this world but not the system of this world. I Jn 2:16 Even Paul explains us this dilemma. (1 Cor 5:9-10)

The explanation is — We are separated from the world by faith. That is the only difference. This could be illustrated that as a boat floating in the water yet not submerged. (1 Tim 1:19)

Read Matt 9:11-13 "I desire mercy, not sacrifice". Sacrifice is always towards God whereas Mercy is towards men. Pharisees thought sacrifices will satisfy,’ God. That’s why they were very much concerned about their tithes and offering and careful in obeying every detail of Law. But according to Jesus they were far away from God, because there was no mercy towards the fellow human being.

Even many of us might think church attendance, giving tithes and offering regularly, praying, praising, worshipping etc will satisfy God. They are good but the most important of all is obedience. That is to fulfill his mission on the Earth. God rejected Cain’s sacrifice; He did not accept King Saul’s sacrifice after he defeated Amelakites. (1 Sam 15:22) Sacrifices cannot be considered as bribery to God to over look our carnal, immoral and disobedient life styles.

God is interested in Mercy, to be shown towards the others. What is Mercy? It is generally the loving kindness to the under privileged people or those who are destitute with needs. The entire world around us is full of people who are heading toward Hell without knowing where they go. There are spiritual needs, physical needs and material needs. In what way a Christian should relate to the people? In the sermon on Mount Jesus starts with Giving (to the people) and then only praying and fasting (towards God).

To fulfil the great commission of God, first our relationship to the people is very important. Do people see us loving, caring. honest and concerned? How then will they hear us? Unless we bear good testimony among the people nobody will listen to us. Read Matt 5:13-16

Salt is used to influence. The food without salt is tasteless. Nobody sees the salt in the food, but if there is no salt everyone knows. The important characteristic of the salt is its savory taste. If the salt lacks that quality then it is useless. In the same way if we do not have the saltiness to influence the society, then our faith and service to God is of no use.

Light is to shine in the darkness. The world is dark with sin and immorality. The duty of the Christian is to throw light towards the world. If the light is covered with the bowl, what is the use? Let our churches become bowls to keep the light inside without letting go out. It is our good works that indicate light; if a person fails to do good works, then there is something wrong about his conversion. Eph 2:8-10. Doing good works is the evidence of a believer. We are not doing good works to be saved but we are saved by the grace of God in order to do good works.

Dear beloved, let us understand our basic calling. It is unfair to be glued to the church alone without influencing the society around us. God is interested in our moving into the corrupted world without being influenced by it but to influence it through our testimony of good works, which will pave the way to witness about our Lord to lead the people towards repentance and salvation. AMEN.