Let me begin by saying we live in a very corrupt world which is under the influence of Satan. The Apostle Paul reminded believers of how they once (before their conversion to Christ) “walked according to the course of this world, according to the PRINCE of the power of the air, THE SPIRIT who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). All unbelievers are presently under his influence, as we see in 1 John 5:19, “the whole world lies under the sway of THE WICKED ONE.” Because of his influence, America (and other countries) has fallen into moral decline. Satan knows he can’t rob believers of the salvation they have in Christ, but he does everything he can to rob us of our testimony for Christ in this world. He uses the world and its values to do this and thus we are exhorted in Romans 12:2, “Be not CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The world wants us to “be like them” and they will seek to put “peer pressure on us to squeeze them in their mold.”

I believe you and your Bible-believing family are being put to the test right now. Your relative was not only guilty of an unscriptural divorce (Matthew 19:1-9), but she is presently guilty of living in sin. The Bible calls this sin FORNICATION (having sexual relations with one outside of marriage). We are told in 1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee SEXUAL IMMORALITY. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” A few verses earlier we are told: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither FORNICATORS…nor adulterers, nor homosexuals…will inherit the kingdom of God” (verses 9-10). This is how serious this sin is in the eyes of God! And it ought to be just as serious in our eyes.

The world will tell you: “But this is your family and you should show your love for them by supporting them and attending the wedding.” But the Bible tells us: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore DO NOT BE PARTAKERS WITH THEM. For you were once darksness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE UNFRUITFULL WORKS OF DARKNESS BUT RATHER EXPOSE THEM” (Ephesians 5:6-9-11). God tells us, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). God has (by His amazing grace) “delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13) and now He wants us to “let our LIGHT shine before the world” (Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:14). We may very well be misunderstood and persecuted, but we will be pleasing the Lord “who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 1:9).

We should still love our family members who are still in spiritual darkness and seek to show our love to them in a way that will not dishonor the Lord. How do we do that? We should be HUMBLE and tell them that we are a “sinner saved by grace” and we now desire to live to please Him who saved us by obeying His Word. In this way, we won’t come across as being “better than them.” We should PRAY for them and perhaps the Lord will give us the opportunity to share Christ with them so they can be saved. True love for them will be manifested by seeking to WIN THEM TO CHRIST so they too can be “delivered from darkness and brought into His marvelous light.” May we do everything we can to “keep the door of communication open with them without compromising the truth of God’s holy Word.”  (DO)  (724.3)