Light fellowship
When I was a young man, I rebelled against the things of God and the people of God and went looking for friendship and fellowship with unbelievers. Even though I had made a decision for the Lord and had been baptised as a teenager, after leaving school I took up a lifestyle of nightclubbing and binge-drinking. I knew the decision I had made was not the path God would have me walk, but under a cloud of deception and fuelled by selfish desires I did my own thing for many years. In those same years I had a close brush with death after rolling a truck I was driving and even this failed to arrest my destructive direction. I am doubtful if I would have been saved in that period.
Finally God brought me to an end of myself and I surrendered my life afresh to Him and my life dramatically changed. The things I once did, I no longer desired. The people I once enjoyed the company of, now offered nothing of the companionship I sought. There had been a clear shift out of darkness and into light. After finding my place in God’s family and at His table I now clearly recognise that it is no longer fitting as one of God’s children who has been accepted at His table, to continue in a lifestyle of Godless pursuit.
Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 10:14-22, telling the Corinthian that their inclusion in Christ meant that any further joining in on demonic pursuits was unthinkable saying, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” (v21) This was contrasting the worship of God at the communion table with the pagan worship of sacrificing to idols. While we may never be tempted to pursue such activities, there may be a temptation to go back to the old life to pursue something of what we left behind.
Pornography, foul jokes, lewd behaviour, out of control drinking; even greed, hatred and jealousy etc. all these things find their origin at the table or the altar of demons. They are not fitting for the one who sits down at the table of Christ’s suffering sacrifice. The fellowship God offers is exclusive; it is not something He will share; especially with demons. It’s either God or its darkness. By considering this clear distinction between Godly or Godless behaviour, we should not feel we have to pull back from socialising with non- Christians. We must however be clear and un-confusing in how we live our lives before the lost. It is the power of God in us that will lead them to salvation.
Ps. Steve.
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