Expert: Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine - 7/5/2011

Question
According to scripture, we should not fellowship with unbelievers. I take it this means family members and non-family members as well. A particular family member, sister-in-law has rejected Yeshua-Jesus as Messiah. This person has heard the gospel message and I have even asked her about her belief in Yeshua-Jesus and she will not accept Him as Lord. I don't feel comfortable with me and my family being around her & her family during family gatherings, holidays, etc. How should my husband and I handle this and explain to our children?

Answer
Hi Nicole,

I believe you are misunderstanding the biblical council.

The command is to not be unevenly yoked with unbelievers not to shun them. Y'shua ate and drank with publicans, prostitutes, even with tax collectors. If you cut off your sister-in-law like this you may well seal her fate of never coming to knowledge of the truth. The biblical approach is to love her and to patiently let your life be a witness to her. Don't preach to her, don't condemn her, just let the light of God's love shine through you.

Be ever grateful that God has not abandoned you. He is patient and just and so should we be towards others. Perhaps the Ruach of HaShem will touch her heart.

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

This would also be a terrible lesson for your children.

Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

You will be teaching your children to give up on people and to cast them under the bus.

I Corinthians 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I will be praying that HaShem softens your heart.

~ Rabbi Yochanan