Should Christians Go to Non-Christian Events?

(photo: Pixabay)
By Mei ManuelMarch 19th, 2017

 

When Christ died and was resurrected, it assured us of our freedom in Him. We were freed us forever from the dangers of sin and death and helped us become God's own children, his beloved children.

In 1 Corinthians 1:30, it tells us that Christ "made us pure and holy," and that He "freed us from sin." When He made us holy, He gave us a new identity, a new purpose, and a new pursuit. We are now children of God who have been given new lives in Christ, a life that is meant to glorify God and seek to be like Christ. We are never the same after coming to faith in Christ.

But what about those who do not follow Christ?

Because we now live in and for Christ, our priorities change. Our choices of friends and activities change, as well as what we believe in. We are called to be holy in everything as our Father is holy. As a result, we say goodbye to the things which are not holy and of God.

However, we must realize that while we know that we do not really belong, we cannot expect to be safe from the corruption of the world. We are told to become the salt and light of the world to give life to others.

But, if we tend to shy away from others who do not see the same faith as we do, one begs to ask if Christians should participate in non-Christian events.

In Mark 16:15, the Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to go and preach the Gospel to all of creation and this was supported in Matthew 28:18-20 which said that the Lord Jesus commands us to make disciples of all nations.

The accounts show us that God wants us to reach out to the rest of the world, sharing the saving power of Christ to those who do not believe in the faith. By going to non-Christian gatherings, we are given the chance to reach out to these people and preach the Gospel for the fact we must reach out to these places to bring someone to God.

However, to answer the question if Christians should go to non-Christian gatherings, the answer can be both Yes and no.

  • It's OK when the event doesn't encourage one to commit sin.

"For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil." (1 Peter 2:16)

  • It's OK when the event doesn't promote things that may displease God.

"Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them." (Ephesians 5:10-11)

  • It's OK when one's purpose is to reach out to others for God.

 "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself servant to all, that I might win even more." (1 Corinthians 9:19)

Even if the event is not by the church, it is important to remember that the things we do should be those who pleases God. We must remain strong in faith, avoid sin and become an ambassador wherever we go.

As written in 1 Corinthians 10:30 and Ephesians 5:15-17,

"Therefore, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God ... See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise men, making the most of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." 

 

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