"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited" (Romans 12:16 NIV).
It is common practice that most us avoid close association with poor and ill-mannered people and many of us are quick to use this portion of scripture “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Equally, this portion of scripture does not suggest we shouldn't associate with unbelievers, instead it says we should not be unequally yoked in their mannerism and practices. How did the Lord win over people if He did not associate with them, and how about the earlier Apostles and missionaries? They all lived and worked amongst those they changed and convicted.
Scripturally, we can recall that our Lord Jesus Christ said He came for sinners and those who needs salvation (Luke 5:32). How do we change and influence people with the gospel of truth if we don't associate with them? Did the Apostle Paul not work and lived among the gentiles to win them for the Lord? (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).
In other words, we win people over to the Lord when we live amongst, work amongst them while they are seeing and copying our Christ-like practices. Please allow me to share some experiences with you, there was a brother whom the Lord used mightily with open visions which he shared with believers online.
However, when he stopped having these visions he also ceased sharing his faith and the gospel as if those visions were his only motivation to share the gospel. Subsequently, the Lord revealed to us that given to the brother's gifts, he declined invitations from other brethren to share his testimony and experiences with the Lord, as a result the Lord gave him a message through this ministry encouraging him to accept invitations to share the gospel for the edification of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians 4:12). As it was, this rebuke did not sit well with the brother, he rejected the Lord's message and dissociated himself with us. As Christians, we should never grow disobedient or weary to labour for the benefit of God's Kingdom, our calling is a life-time commitment.
some years ago when I was in my early 20's and before I joined the formal ministry, I lived and work amongst unbelievers and at the time I considered myself then to be the only truly born again amongst them. It was a tough assignment and the ridicule and persecution I faced almost derailed my faith and the Lord graciously guided me out of that and my faith survived till this day to share with you.
In addition, during my early walk with the Lord I was influenced to look down to people who belonged to a labour trade union and not to associate with them. As we know, the labour movements are generally political in nature and some industrial action may turn somewhat violent and that made me reluctant to be a member as it may also cause me to stumble in my faith. However, as I matured in my faith, I asked the Lord if it would be right for me to join a trade and expecting the Lord to say NO! Instead He said, "Your father may join any trade union of his choice" with the addition of the above scripture "...but be willing to associate with people of low position" (Romans 12:16). Similarly, we should consider what the Apostle James also said "But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?.." (James 2:6 ESV).
Now, given to our positions in life and in the work place let us not look down on those who occupy low positions, their minimal or maximum contributions yield results too (Matthew 20:1-16). We know that the above scripture is making reference to the gift of eternal life, however, Christian business leaders should not be driven by greed and profit and they should keep their lives free from the love of money.
In conclusion, let us therefore endeavor to associate with people of low position and share the joy of seeing how the Lord is transforming their lives. Kindly allow me to share yet another short testimony, while I faced strong persecution in the places where I worked some people took note of my walk in the Lord and some even knew my former ways and they made a comparison between my God and the gods of the other 'believers' and that brought them closer to the Lord through the conviction of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 1:24).
Blessed Grace
Brother Glenn
