Family, Friends and Neighbors

We all have family, friends, and neighbors who are not in the faith.  And many of these relationships are long term in nature and may have been in existence before being converted.  What does Yahweh and His Word have to say about these relationships?

 

First, it is clear that with all relationships we need to put Yahweh and His kingdom first.  This includes keeping the Sabbath Holy, keeping all of Yahweh’s Feasts and High Days, keeping Yahweh’s Food Laws, and obeying Yahweh’s Word and not the ways of the world.

 

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of Yahweh, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his stake (better translation than cross), and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.   39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

 

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in Yahweh with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.   6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

Messiah Yah’shua always put Yahweh first, even above His own family, friends, and neighbors.  Yahweh tells us to follow Him.  Family, friends, and neighbors should not come first.

 

Matthew 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.   48 But he (Yah’shua) answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?   49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!   50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

Matthew 8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Sovereign, suffer me first to go and bury my father.   22 But Yah’shua said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

 

Luke 9:61 And another also said, Sovereign, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.   62 And Yah’shua said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of Yahweh.

 

Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

 

Luke 14:25 And there went great multitudes with him (Yah’shua): and he turned, and said unto them,  26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

 

Not only should we put Yahweh first, we need to make sure we are not spending a lot of time with the unconverted, including family, friends, and neighbors not of the faith.  The more time we spend with the unconverted, the more we risk being pulled into the ways of the world.

 

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?   15 And what concord hath Messiah with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?   16 And what agreement hath the temple of Yahweh with idols? for ye are the temple of the living Elohim; as Yahweh hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people.   17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith Yahweh, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,   18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith Yahweh Almighty.

 

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.   16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.   17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of Yahweh abideth for ever.

 

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

 

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of Yahweh, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto Elohim, which is your reasonable service.   2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yahweh.

 

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with Yahweh? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of Yahweh.  

 

Another reason that we need to be careful how much time we spend with the unconverted is that our family, friends, and neighbors can ultimately be our enemies fueled by Satan to take us away from the truth and our love of Yahweh.

 

Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.   35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.   36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.   37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.   

 

Psalm 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

 

Luke 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

 

Micah 7:5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.  6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.   7 Therefore I will look unto Yahweh; I will wait for the Elohim of my salvation: my Elohim will hear me.

 

Many believe their human love is more important than Yahweh’s love.  Christians are big on using love to annul obedience to Yahweh.  Be careful of the arguments that puts emotional logic before actual obedience to Yahweh’s word.  There is a higher priority than loving family, friends, and neighbors.  And that higher priority is loving Yahweh by keeping His laws and commandments.

 

Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth Yahweh thy Elohim require of thee, but to fear Yahweh thy Elohim, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

 

Joshua 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of Yahweh charged you, to love Yahweh your Elohim, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

 

Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?   37 Yah’shua said unto him, Thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (also see Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27).

 

Although a saint needs to put Yahweh first by obeying His laws and commandments, this does not mean we should separate ourselves from family, friends and neighbors.  In fact, one of the biggest reasons not to separate oneself from the unconverted is that we are told in the Scriptures to proclaim the evangel.  The Greek word “euaggelion” translated “evangel” means “Good Tidings” or “Good News”.   That is the Good News about Messiah and His coming Kingdom.

 

1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the evangel (#2098) which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;   2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.   3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Messiah died for our sins according to the scriptures;   4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of YahwehShua Messiah, called to be an apostle, separated unto the evangel (#2098) of Yahweh,   2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)   3 Concerning his Son YahwehShua Messiah our Sovereign, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of Yahweh with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 

 

Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Yah’shua came into Galilee, preaching the evangel (#2098) of the kingdom of Yahweh,   15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of Yahweh is at hand: repent ye, and believe the evangel (#2098).  (Also see Matthew 4:23)

 

Matthew 24:14 And this evangel (#2098) of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

 

Luke 9:60 Yah’shua said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of Yahweh.

 

2098 euaggelion {yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on}  •  from the same as 2097; TDNT – 2:721,267; n •  AV – gospel 46, gospel of Christ 11, gospel of God 7, gospel of the Kingdom 3, misc 10; 77 •  1) a reward for good tidings 2) good tidings 2a) the glad tidings of the kingdom of Yahweh soon to be set up, and subsequently also of YahwehShua the Messiah, the founder of  this kingdom.

 

Scriptures tell us to preach the evangel to non-believers.  So it is essential that we continue to maintain our relationships with family, friends, and neighbors so we can witness to them when they ask about the hope within us. 

 

Matthew 28:18 And Yah’shua came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.   19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:   20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Mark 16:15 And he (Yah’shua) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the evangel (#2098) to every creature.   16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

 

Luke 8:38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Yah’shua sent him away, saying,  9 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things Elohim hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Yah’shua had done unto him.

 

Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the evangel (#2098), which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

 

In fact spending time with non-believing family, friends, and neighbors might be a great witness to Yahweh and His word.  And speaking of His word, Yahweh tells us to proclaim His great name among non-believers!

 

2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Yahweh, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

 

Romans 15:8 Now I say that YahwehShua Messiah was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of Yahweh, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:   9 And that the Gentiles might glorify Yahweh for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

 

Psalm 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Yahweh, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

 

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

 

So I don’t think Yahweh wants believers to isolate themselves from the world, including family, friends, and neighbors. It is interesting to note that Messiah spent time with unbelievers.  In fact He made it a point to be with sinners in their homes (Matthew 9:9-12, Mark 2:15-17, and Luke 5:29-32). 

 

Getting back to family, we see in Scriptures there is a link between our earthly physical family and the family of Yahweh.  And just as Yahweh loves all of His family (i.e. His creation) unconditionally, so shall we love our family unconditionally. For more information on this very important topic on the Almighty’s reconciliation of His creation, please read “Yahweh’s Supreme Love”.

 

Did you know Yahweh’s family is named after Him and we were created in the Father and Son’s image?

 

Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Sovereign YahwehShua Messiah,   15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

 

Genesis 1:26 And Elohim said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  

 

Genesis 3:22 And Yahweh Elohim said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

 

And Yahweh wants to bring many of His creation to glory.  Therefore the Almighty’s ultimate plan is to join a vast multitude of His creation with the Father and the Son, becoming like them.  Yahweh’s plan from the beginning was to create people as temporary flesh and blood beings, subject to death and then give us the opportunity to live forever as spirit beings like the Father and the Son in their eternal family.  Yahweh offers us a great promise if we obey His word.

 

Hebrew 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

 

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of Yahweh, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

 

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.   19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of Yahweh.

 

Colossians 3:4 When Messiah, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

It is clear….believers will become Elohim (Mighty Ones).  Part of the Yahweh Elohim (Mighty Ones) family!

 

Psalm 82:6 I have said, Ye are elohims (i.e. mighty ones); and all of you are children of the most High.

 

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and righteousness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:   4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

Continuing with the concept that Yahweh Elohim (Mighty Ones) is a family, the Scriptures over and over state that believers are sons and daughters of Yahweh.

 

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of Yahweh, they are the sons of Yahweh.

 

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his Elohim, and he shall be my son.

 

2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith Yahweh, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,   18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith Yahweh Almighty.

 

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of Yahweh by faith in Messiah YahwehShua.   27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah.

 

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, Yahweh hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

 

And not only sons and daughters of Yahweh, but JOINT HEIRS with Messiah.  Remember, Scriptures state that neither the servant (saint) or His master (Messiah) is greater than the other.

 

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of Yahweh:   17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of Yahweh, and joint-heirs with Messiah; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his master doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his master.

 

Indeed one of the great truths about the Scriptures is that Yahweh is growing His FAMILY and that we can become a part of His spiritual family.   This is Yahweh’s overall transcendent purpose for creating humanity.

 

So there is a link between Yahweh’s spiritual family and our earthly physical family.  That is our earthly family is a type of Yahweh’s own spiritual family and both are important to Yahweh.  With that in mind,  Scriptures are clear that we need take care of our earthly family.  Especially taking care of our spouse, children, father and mother.  In fact honoring father and mother is part of the covenant Ten Commandments.

 

1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

 

Father and Mother:

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which Yahweh thy Elohim giveth thee.

 

Matthew 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother:

 

Children:

Deuteronomy 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:   7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

 

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Sovereign.

 

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:   8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.   9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?   10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?   11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?  (Also see Luke 11:11-13)

 

Spouse:

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Messiah also loved the assembly, and gave himself for it;

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

 

Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;   4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

 

Let us now turn our attention from family to friends.  And Yahweh tells us in the Book of Proverbs, there is nothing wrong with having a good friend.  Especially in a time of need when there are not brothers or sisters in the faith available.

 

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

 

Proverb 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

 

Proverb 27:10 Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

 

Job 42:10 And Yahweh turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also Yahweh gave Job twice as much as he had before.

 

And not only are family and friends important, we find that our neighbors are important in Yahweh’s eyes.  Scriptures tell us over and over to love our neighbors as ourselves.  

 

Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am Yahweh.

 

Matthew 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself

 

Matthew 22:37 Yah’shua said unto him, Thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.   38 This is the first and great commandment.   39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 

And we may ask, who is my neighbor?  At a very basic level, it is anyone with whom we come in contact who has basic needs….food, water, shelter, clothing and medical attention.

 

Luke 10:30 And Yah’shua answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.   31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.   32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.   33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,   34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.   36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?   37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Yah’shua unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

 

Luke 19:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:   20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,   21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.   22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;   23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.   24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.   25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

 

Did you know that loving our neighbors includes our enemies?

 

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.   44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;   45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

 

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith Yahweh.   20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.   21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,   28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

 

Lastly, Scriptures tell us that we want to treat everyone including family, friends, and neighbors as we would want to be treated (i.e. Yahweh’s golden rule). 

 

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

 

Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

 

And if we don’t take care of family, friends, and neighbors, but store up treasures on earth, then Yahweh will have the final judgment: “Vengeance is mine saith Yahweh.” (Romans 12:19)

 

Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:   17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?   18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.   19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.   20 But Yahweh said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?   21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward Elohim.

 

Mathew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:   20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:   21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

To conclude, it is a real balancing act between loving our family, friends, and neighbors and loving Yahweh.   Although a balancing act, we must always put Yahweh and His kingdom first.  That includes obeying His laws and commandments, including keeping Yahweh’s Sabbath, Feast and High Days, and Food Laws.   And we must be careful with spending too much time with the unconverted, because those relationships can pull us away from the truth and our love of Yahweh. 

 

On the other hand we are told to witness the evangel, which includes the coming kingdom of Yahweh to family, friends, and neighbors.  We see Messiah spent time with the unconverted preaching the coming kingdom.  And we know that we are supposed to emulate Messiah as He was the perfect sinless man.

 

We also see a parallel between Yahweh’s spiritual family and our earthly physical family.  And just as Yahweh loves us unconditionally, we must love our family, friends and neighbors unconditionally.  The second greatest commandments of the Scriptures is love thy neighbors as thyself, which encompasses loving family, friends, and neighbors.

 

HalleluYah

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