Be careful who you DON'T associate with
Mark 2:15 "While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and 'sinners' were eating with him and the disciples, for there were many who followed him."
Why are we taught to be so careful about who we associate ourselves with? There is no doubt that the world has some misguided people who are involved in selfish, harmful behavior. Most of us would do well to avoid falling into the same traps these people have fallen into. We should still well clear of activities that are sinful.
Does that mean we should avoid those people? At the most basic level, aren't these people children of God just like we are? Don't we sometimes learn a small tidbit of information about them, their family life (or lack thereof), violence they endured as a child, circumstances they were in that were not of their own choosing, etc., that totally changes our perception of them?
What are we afraid of by associating with these people? I think we are scared that their commitment to evil is stronger than our commitment to good. We are afraid that they will have the power to pull us to their side instead of the other way around. Why wouldn't we be afraid of this? They are simply displaying the sin nature that is present in all of us. This is the same sin nature we are trying desperately to contain.
Have faith in God and the power of the Holy Spirit to steer us clear of the behaviors we want to avoid, but don't turn that into an imperative to avoid the person. Jesus said, "it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
Why are we taught to be so careful about who we associate ourselves with? There is no doubt that the world has some misguided people who are involved in selfish, harmful behavior. Most of us would do well to avoid falling into the same traps these people have fallen into. We should still well clear of activities that are sinful.
Does that mean we should avoid those people? At the most basic level, aren't these people children of God just like we are? Don't we sometimes learn a small tidbit of information about them, their family life (or lack thereof), violence they endured as a child, circumstances they were in that were not of their own choosing, etc., that totally changes our perception of them?
What are we afraid of by associating with these people? I think we are scared that their commitment to evil is stronger than our commitment to good. We are afraid that they will have the power to pull us to their side instead of the other way around. Why wouldn't we be afraid of this? They are simply displaying the sin nature that is present in all of us. This is the same sin nature we are trying desperately to contain.
Have faith in God and the power of the Holy Spirit to steer us clear of the behaviors we want to avoid, but don't turn that into an imperative to avoid the person. Jesus said, "it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
posted by Robert Jory Allen at
4:39 AM
1 Comments:
Sara's grandfather (my dad) was good at reaching out and being comfortable in the presence of men who showed up in church (sometimes) to appease their wives, but who did not live the standard Christian life style.
I know of three in particular. He went on a boat trip with them every year. (I think their wives breathed a huge sigh of relief). He didn't partake in their drinking, smoking, and cussing, but he didn't lecture them either. He always told me that it's not our place to judge-that's God's job. We are to accept and love people as they are--not condone or start doing what they do, but just be a friend.
He was able to lead all three men to Christ before they died (at their request).
This is a good idea, Jory. :>)
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