Ignoring Family And Friends

I have a Christian friend who says that we are not to have anything to do with friends or family who are not believers. He said we are to ignore them. I know we are to leave family and everything and follow Christ, but are we suppose to ignore and have nothing to do with them?

Q. I have a Christian friend who says that we are not to have anything to do with friends or family who are not believers. He said we are to ignore them. I know we are to leave family and everything and follow Christ, but are we suppose to ignore and have nothing to do with them? What is Bible doctrine on this?

A. I think your friend has misinterpreted the verse about leaving everything behind to follow the Lord. (Luke 14:26) Ignoring our family, even if they’re unbelievers, is contrary to the Lord’s statement that the world will know we are Christians by our love (John 13:35). And in 1 Tim. 5:8 Paul wrote that someone who would not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.