Sunday, June 11, 2006
Something I myself need to work on.
If we know that a Christian is continually living a life a sin, then why don't we talk to them about it? Is it because we are not a good friend of theirs? We think it is the leaderships responsibility? It is a very uncomfortable subject and we don't like confrontation? Perhaps who am I to judge comes into play. You know we all mess up and we are all sinners. I am talking about claiming that you are a christian and then continually living a sinful life. For example, you are saved and you are living with someone of the opposite sex and you are living a lifestyle as a married couple. Premarital sex is a no-no! So would you talk to this christian or not? I know sometimes people will say, I need to develop a relationship with them first before I say anything. Well what if judgement day comes before that relationship is done being formed? I know the key is that it has to be done in love, in truth, and in spirit. Biblically is the way!
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3 comments:
Michelle, You are hitting at the core of something that we as Christians have become desensatized about. I know that confrontation is something that I personally try to avoid at all costs, but there are times that we are called to do just that. The example that you gave is a no brainer (at least to me). There is no doubt that pre-marital sex is sin! You can't get around that in scripture. Therefore if you know of two practicing Christians who are single and are engaged in sexual activity, something needs to be said to them. The thing that I personally struggle with are those things that are not so clear or are my personal standards. For instance the idea of can a practicing Christian participate in casino gambling? My opinion is an absolute NOT! But, there is no direct scripture to make that application! Then we can split those hairs into, if the casino is wrong what about lottery tickets, penny ante poker games, sports pools and horse races? This is where I have a difficult time in bringing in the confrontation. Just because I think it's wrong, does God! That requires some prayer and possible fasting as well to get to a conclusion. Great post! Really makes me think and to spare you and your readers I'll stop this here because I could go on for a while! B4T
I personally agree with you that all forms of "gambling" are a no-no for a "practicing" Christian. (what is a practicing Christian anyways) We are to be good stewards of the gifts that God has given us, which includes money. Isn't that kind of like just flushing money down the toilet. Now could we not take that opportunity to share opinions with each other. Perhaps you would come to an agreement that you will both agree to disagree, but it is possible that you have changed ones outlook.
Example, I had a child before I was married. Someone asked me why I did not have an abortion. How much easier my life could have been they said. I had just turned 19 not even a month before. I would not have had to quit school (college), get a job, become a parent, etc. I told them how could I do that? God took something bad that I did and made it into a blessing. Not only that but what if my child was the one who found the cure to a disease. What about all the souls my child could help save by introducing them to Jesus? It opened their eyes to a whole new outlook. I am not sure if they agreed with me that abortion was still wrong, but at least I gave them another look at it.
However, we all need to work out our own salvation and there are more touchy subjects out there besides the two that have been mentioned. Some of those topics have divided families, friends, and even churches. It does take prayer, fasting, discernment for the truth, love, patience, and understanding that we are all different. Yet, we can and should still share with each other.
Amen my sister in the Lord! I could not agree more with your thoughts. One thing that I would clarify in my post is the term "practicing Christian". I use that term personally to make a difference between those who say "yeah, I'm a Christian" but their lives don't reflect it and those who try to live a Christian life. People who only want to wear that name will often times not take the things of the Father seriously but believe that they are just as good as everybody else. Does that make any sense? Anyway, we could go on and on all day about various situations that could come up and try to determine what is sin and what is "MY OPINION". But the bottom line is this, stand up for Jesus. You don't have to be "confrontational" in all situations to get you point across. But there are times when sin is apparent that it should be confronted. B4T
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