Subject: Christians living together outside of ma |
Bible Note: It seems like there is a lot of focus here on the sins you perceive in others and a sense that its your responsibility to hold others to accountability. It is not. I actually think it is a sign of danger when people of faith focus their attention on what they see as unworthy in others, even if it is in the context of what they believe God finds unworthy. If you find certain behaviors sinful (and the definition of such has certainly changed culturally for better or worse-- or else there would be more outrage about people wearing cotton-polyester blends or women not hiding away during mestruation)-- those people need, more than anything else your love. And you need theirs. It saddens me to think that you could miss out on the love some people have to share because you feel constrained to show disapproval on God's behalf. Fellowship with others is not meant to be about changing them, making them repent, letting them know you are following God's Word better than they are, any of that-- it's about being two beggars sharing a crust of bread. Instead of looking at what you think God dislikes about others' behaviors, I would suggest trying to look closer and longer and pray to discern what it is in those people that He loves, that you might come to love that piece of Him in them as well. I would pray for an openness in seeking to understand what He hopes you can learn from them and their journeys through life. They have crossed your path for a reason. It is our job to look to Jesus in our efforts to compromise less in our personal ethical choices and in our own journeys through the world. We need others and they need us. You can let them know you are uncomfortable, that you make different choices and that if they wish you would like to talk to them about it. But please do not withhold your love from anyone. There is no way, as you say, to "TRULY" know what is in anyone's heart. Associating and welcoming only those who we deem worthy is not what Jesus modeled. He was revolutionary and divisive largely because of the welcome he gave in spending time with, eating with, ministering to, and loving a variety of people who the "religious authorities" of the time deemed unacceptable in their behavior. He saw the worth in others even when his own community could not. I think it is beautiful that you take living His word so seriously and that you rightly ask how we as Christians can ever hope to not be conformed to the world. It is a serious problem. I feel strongly that the giving of love, rather than the witholding of it is the start of an answer. |