Christian Enemies Only
Not Worthy : Enemies (e.g. family and certain other Christians)
“For I have come to turn
“ ‘a man against his father,…
a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me;…” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:35 – 37)
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:21)
A reason?
Members of family in such conflicts are “not” Gospel minded. On the contrary, they will usually be money-minded with a focus on prosperity & hoarding.
“You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:22)
Sometimes it’s best to “keep away” (or ‘reject’) those who cause “divisions” (e.g. via ‘false teachings’) and “other teachings” (e.g. heretical Christian teachings especially those NOT based upon the Bible but say, centered upon ‘race based sentiments’ or other abominations):
“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.” – apostle Paul (Titus 3:10)
Remember, all the above refers to your “Christian relatives or friends only” (as the Bible forbids us to judge non-Christians as per the context of these verses too):
“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.
Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.” (2 John 1:9 – 11)
Yes, ‘judging non-Christians’ is God’s business and “not” mine:
“… with such a one not even to eat.
For what is it to me to judge those outside (non-Christians)? Do you not judge those within (Christians only)?
But God will judge those outside (non-Christians). “Expel the evil out from among yourselves (Christians).” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 5:11 – 13)
Does that mean we starve our parents/children/other family members to death (by not eating with them) if they become enemies of the Gospel? Certainly NOT!
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” (Proverbs 25:21, Romans 12:20)
What does it mean then?
It means that you should provide food (if you’re able) even to your ‘enemies’ (family or other Christians too) but you just need “not” to eat with them (e.g. eat separately).
You’re told to “avoid them” (keep away) from such Christians for your own benefit (‘peace of mind’ primarily & so that they don’t further put ‘obstacles’ toward the selfless Gospel work of God):
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.” – apostle Paul (Romans 16:17)
Lastly, keep away from Christians (family or otherwise) who ‘not’ only teach ‘heresies’ but especially those dangerous ones which tries to “link” the ‘Gospel of Christ’ with the ‘false knowledge of this world’ (e.g. race-based Christianity has plenty of such errors):
“O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—
which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:20 – 21)
Remember, those Christians who ‘profess’ such are said to be “gone astray from the faith” in the verses above.
How to know the “difference”?
As a Christian, stick to the “Bible only”.
For example, if a Christian (family/friend) starts quoting things against the verses of the Bible (e.g. saying that a divorced can remarry) or mingles the religious concepts of others into Christianity (e.g. race based thoughts being mingled into their understanding of the Christian doctrine), you well know to “keep away from them” (after two warnings given prior).
