Relationships: The Long-Distance Factor - 2 Corinthians 7:5 - 9:15

Do you ever look back over your life [especially if you are middle age or more] and remember old friends that were at one time close, caring, and concerned; but have become cold and distant. You may not have had a letter, a call or even a Christmas card in years and you may not have sent one. One or the other moved to another location and the long-distance between is a part of the problem. One or both married and became interested in their new family and made new friends and there is nothing wrong with this. It should be that way, but at the same time, old friends that are good friends are sometimes irreplaceable and are worthy of the effort it takes to renew long-distance communication. Just remember that it is never too late to renew old friendships.

We have utilized a considerable amount of our lesson time lately discussing our personal relationships. We have looked at family relationships as well as church related and then just friendly relationships as relating to problems that arise in each category. Beginning with the fourteenth verse of chapter six, Paul introduces a specific problem that is to be avoided whether you are choosing a mate, joining a church, or cultivating a friend. What ever you are doing, there is no exception to this rule that Paul has given us.

Paul speaks plainly and makes it easy to understand when he simply says; “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.” Since we are discussing and comparing the church family and the personal family and how certain rules apply to both, it is imperative that we consider this statement fully, because it clearly does belong to both situations. If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ you must understand that no matter how much you would like to get married—you should never (not ever) marry an unbeliever. Young people find it very easy to become infatuated with the opposite sex and either think they are in love or maybe actually fall in love with anyone they are dating frequently. Therefore, the only way to avoid an unscriptural marriage is to select Christian friends of like belief. Do not date an unbeliever because it is too dangerous.

This rule applies to any believer that is seeking membership in a church. No Christian should join any church that does not teach and preach the bible as they believe it should be. There is only one way for you to be sure that you are making the right choice. First, you must know what you believe to be the essentials—that is, the basic teachings of the Holy Bible, and then you must know that these basics are being taught in the church of your choice. You should seek help from a pastor or Christian counselor in whom you have a strong faith. However, the only way you can be absolutely sure that you know the basic teachings of the Bible is for you to read and study the Book and pray for guidance in your understanding. Right now, immediately, you should turn to… and read… and study the last verses in chapter six where Paul will give you good reasons why you should not be un-equally yoked together.

Allow me to give you a few examples that are so very simple and even crude that I hate to take the time and space necessary—but theses are realistic examples of troublemakers. You are the believer and you want to go to church Sunday morning, your unbelieving spouse wants to spend the day on the golf course or lake. You want to spend money available to buy needed furniture; your spouse wants a new boat or golf clubs. You want to spend a quiet night at home, the spouse wants to go to a strip joint. You want to save a few dollars; the spouse wants to play the lottery. The children need clothing and food, the spouse buys alcohol or drugs. You want to save and he/she wants to spend.

If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, and know that you were saved by grace through faith and there is no other way—you will surely become unhappy when the teacher or preacher starts talking about salvation by works. When the church condones false teachers, or tends to be no more than a liberal social organization you will not be happy in this setting. If you believe in water baptism by immersion you probably will not be happy with sprinkling.

Paul’s reason for bringing this subject up is that he was having all kinds of problems with the members of the church at Corinth. He had been there with them, witnessed to them regarding the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and His will for the church. Then Paul left these good friends in the early days of their Christian life and continued on his missionary journeys. He had planned to get back to see them, to worship with them and teach them more of the truths about Christ’s teachings, but the stumbling blocks of life prevented his return. Their friendship grew cold. They lost their love and trust in and for him and began to marry nonbelievers, and allow their church to be influenced by non-believing leaders that claimed to be Christians. They were definitely all mixed up regarding the teachings about the resurrection of the dead and the second coming of Christ.

Given the problems they had with communication and travel in those days, the best he could do was write them four different letters while they were apart, and try to make sure that one of his helpers got back to the Corinthian Church to help them with their problems. One and possibly two of these letters were lost, and so they actually only received two that we know to be the first and second Corinthians. [We believe that at least a part of one of the lost letters is included in 2 Corinthians.]

If you and I have old friends that have drifted away or from which we have drifted away, our means of communication are much better today, and we literally have no excuse not to reaffirm our love and concern for our old friends or to make new ones. You know what I mean, but to insure that you recognize the simplicity of this task I remind you that you have inexpensive phones of all colors and kind, slow mail that is sure, fast e-mail that is free, a good car that makes it no more than a three day drive anywhere in the country. A plane reduces the trip to only a few hours. We really have no excuse and should maintain important friendships. Somewhere, someone needs an encouraging word from you today.

Paul is my hero. He worked hard and long under some dire circumstances, and I believe he tried as best he could to be a continuing friend to all that he won to Christ. However, he amassed quiet a number that criticized him for not keeping up with his long-distance friends, those he made and then left behind as he started another missionary journey. You and I might be surprised to know the number of old friends we have that would receive a real lift in life if we would let them know anew that we still care and that Jesus our Lord will never stop caring for them.