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What Is The Relationship Between The Christian & Non-Christian? Introduction: On January 17, 2011 Robert Bentley was sworn in as Governor of Alabama. Later on that day the Governor went to Dexter Avenue Baptist Church to speak. At that time he said, "Anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother." This created a firestorm of protest from certain religious and anti-religious groups. Rev. Welton Gaddy said Bentley "went too far." The Ant-Defamation League, a Jewish group that fights discrimination said it sounded like Bentley was using the office of governor to advocate for Christian conversion. "If he does so, he is dancing dangerously close to a violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which forbids government from promoting the establishment of any religion." Eventually Bentley tried to clarify his comments and apologize to those he offered. He promised to work for people of all faiths and colors. "I will never deny being a born-again Christian. I do have core beliefs and I will die with those core beliefs. But I do not want to be harmful to others. And I will die if I have to to defend someone else's right to worship as they choose. Interestingly, polls showed Bentley was more harmed by his apology than his original comments. This presents us with the question(s): What is the relationship between the Christian and non-Christian? Or, what is the relationship between the believer and non-believer? I) All of Mankind Created by God, Genesis 1.26-27 A) Each person possesses a soul and by nature is of great value 1. We are all part of the same family of humanity (physical family), Acts 17.26 2. One person's soul is not worth more than another person's soul. a. Jesus died for all of humanity, b. There is no distinction in Christ, Acts 2.21; Galatians 3.26-28 3. Fact: Jesus died for everyone but not everyone will become a Christian, John 1.12-13 B) There is a distinction between those who have and have not obey the Gospel of Christ, John 5.24 1. Jesus made a distinction between his physical and spiritual family, Mark 3.31-35; Matthew 12.46-50; Luke 8.19-21 2. A brother in Christ who sins is treated differently than a non-believer who sins, 1 Cor. 5.9-13 3. A Christian lives in a different relationship with God, Colossians 1.13. C) We must have the proper attitude toward our fellow man 1. Who is my neighbor? Luke 10.29 This is an important question. 2. Why was this raised? The Jews were separated from the Gentiles by the Law of Moses. Described as a partition in Ephesians 2.14. 3. As a result some Jews looked down on Gentiles. Saw them as being unfit to serve God, described them as dogs. 4. Jesus answer the question in Luke 10.36,27. a. Neighbor -- In the O.T. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Le 19:18). In this verse the term "neighbor"is defined by the expression, "the children of my people." Here, and generally in the Old Testament, the term implies more than mere proximity; it means one related by the bond of nationality, a fellow-countryman, compatriot. b. Neighbor -- in the N.T. Christ gives a wider interpretation of the commandment in Le 19:18, so as to include in it those outside the tie of nation or kindred. 5. The point being everyone is my "neighbor" or my "fellowman" but not everyone is my brother or sister in Christ. II) The Christians Obligation Toward the Non-Christian (Think of the Good Samaritan: He provided what the Jew needed) A) Teach the truth, Matthew 28.20 1. The "Great Commission" was not given to the people of the world but to disciples. 2. This requires us to study our Bible and be able to reason from the scriptures, Acts 17.2-3 a. Show how the Bible is divided into Old and New Testament and what that means. b. Show the difference between the law of Moses and Christ c. Show the characteristics of the church established by Christ d. Show how one becomes a child of God. 3. Without Christ they are lost, 1 Corinthians 1.21 B) Set a good example 1. One of the faults of the Jews was their hypocrisy. 2. People can see a hypocrite a mile away. 3. We are to profess the doctrine of Christ and live it. Romans 12.17 4. Your example my lead a spouse, child, brother, sister, neighbor to Christ. C) Not be involved in sin, Ephesians 5.11 1. A choice must be made between serving God and friendship with the world, James 4.4 2. Don't use foul language, don't get drunk, don't wear immodest clothing, etc. 3. Do use speech fitting of a Christian, do be filled with the spirit, do wear proper clothing. D) Help others in time of need, James 1.27 1. The visit means to relieve the need of others, to take care of. We need to see the opportunities to help others. 2. That was the point of the "Good Samaritan". 3. We will be judged by our worship, our doctrine, but also by our deeds, Matthew 25.34-40. E) Love your enemies, John 15.19 Conclusion: Robert Bentley was making a valid point. There is a distinction between the Christian and non-Christian in the Bible. We are to do good to all and especially those of the household of faith, Galatians 6 .10. Sadly, according to the Bible Bentley himself is not a Christian. He had never obeyed the Gospel of Christ. It is one thing to proclaim one's obedience to Christ it is another to obey Christ. We don't want to come up short of obeying Christ.
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