Wednesday, May 27, 2009

A question of Christianity

I'm so frustrated!!!!! I have a friend in the same type situation I have been in in the past. It has to do with sin that's hard to walk away from. I'm the one she can go to to talk about it. Which is fine. I've been there....I understand it. But I made a comment sarcastically about how I'm not even supposed to be "encouraging" this behavior and she flew off the handle. I've worked very hard not to be preachy with her. She's been a strong Christian forever--she knows what's right and wrong. I've also made sure not to push her away because I know how that feels. Having Christians push you away rather than encourage you to do right is soooo hurtful.

She wants me to just not ever say anything about how wrong it is. I rarely do as it is, which I ALREADY feel is wrong, so I don't think that, as her friend, I should have to commit to that. Isn't it my responsibility to remind her gently? When I was going through my situation she was there for me to listen...never got real preachy, just insinuated reminders that I wasn't being right. She thinks our friendship level is based on whether I can tell her I'm going to "try not to say anything".
In situations like this I'm always reminded of James (4:7?) "To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." For me not to EVER say ANYTHING would be sin! No I'm not the perfect Christian I struggle all the time with things....

I don't want to lose her as a friend. I love her so much. I'm afraid that I'll push her away, and I don't know what to do.

*Lord show me what to do. Let her know I'm only loving her. *

4 comments:

Dionne said...

That's a hard situation to be in. I think that you need to have a balance. As Christians, we should never compromise, so I am not saying you should condone what she is doing - but on the other hand, you shouldn't be a broken record telling her she is wrong, because if it ends up pushing her away, you might be the only Christian friend she could turn to. But yes, you should definitely make it clear on your stance that she is committing a sin, but always back it up by letting her know you are telling her this because you've been there and you care about her.

Unknown said...

Ya I do remind her why I'm telling her. And I'm rarely a broken record. If anything I haven't spoken up ENOUGH. I'll find a balance...it's just disheartening because I know both sides of this issue from personal experience.
Thank you for your words :)

Sabrina said...

I think that if you've made it clear your disapproval of a sin once, that should be enough. Your lifestyle should continue to show a disapproval of the sin without words, and also continue to show love towards that person. :) Words can only do so much.

Just my humble opinion.

Unknown said...

Thanks Miss Sabrina. :D I will keep that in mind. It makes sense...just not sure where I draw the line in conversation....

I'll figure it out. :D