Neh 2:20   I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.       

                                                              

There are times when division is correct. Centuries later the apostle Paul was to write, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?” (2 Cor 6:14) and “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.” (v.17). We have to be careful how we apply this because, for instance, Paul also said, “if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him,” (1 Cor 7:13). That latter teaching seems to suggest that if we are united in some form of righteous partnership with an unbeliever and we then come to the Lord, we should not make separation, yet the former teaching is that you would do better not to enter into partnership with an unbeliever in the first place because you may have clashes of conscience.

 

For Nehemiah, his problem was that, when it came to rebuilding Jerusalem, he was being approached by various local leaders who actually weren't Israelites and were, in fact, people from other nations who traditionally had been hostile to Israel. He suspected false motives. In such a situation, it simply seemed wise that he reject their offers of help and stand alone with his people in the rebuilding.

In serving the community we may share with the world. In building the church it can only be believers, and we need to learn to distinguish between these things. we can work alongside the non-believer to bring good to our community but when it comes to decision making, don't expect great things in that situation. You, hopefully, will be seeking the Lord for wisdom; they will not. However it may be such a situation that enables the wisdom of God to be revealed through you. When it comes to spiritual matters, never expect the unbeliever to be on the same wavelength as you, for you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you and they don't. Be wise and understanding.