So many Christians are attending pagan funerals merely because the person who died and their family were extended family members.
When I see a smiling face on the Christians who attended the pagan funerals I feel a deep pit of grief in my stomach. How it must grieve God for Christians to celebrate the funerals of those who were pagan (Mormon, JW, Catholic, and other religions that deny the word of God) and hated Him.
When "family" happiness comes before loyalty to God we know the persons involved do not understand what it is to walk separately from the world.
I am sure some of my family members don't understand why I do not show up at the extended family events. They do not understand that attending these pagan rituals dishonor God and appear to the world that the Christians support these things.
Attendance is support!!!! It is no wonder that Christians spend so much time alone without support for truth and righteousness.
When I see these things happening I remember Lot and Noah, who were alone in their walk, even taunted and rejected for their dedication to their God.
Luke 14:26 "26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."
We are to love Jesus Christ so much that we are willing to give up our biological family to follow Him.
God was saying; "If I cannot have all of you I want none of you."
Matthew 10:34-36 "26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."
God commands us to love our parents, but that does not mean following in their ways if they do not obey God. It means seeing to their needs in their elderly years if there is a need as well as treating them respectfully when in their presence. Perhaps our dedication to Christ and our love toward them will influence an ungodly parent to trust in Christ.
When we make a practice of attending every ungodly family event we merely endorse the activities and attitudes of the ungodly. The more time we spend with ungodly family members without speaking about the Lord the more likely we are to become like them to remain in their club.
2 Corinthians 6:17 "17“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
https://equippinggodlywomen.com/community/reader-question-respond-toxic-family-members/
