Disruptive Choices

Posted: January 25th, 2011 Category: christian, Common Sense

Even when we are on the right path, one slippery or loose stone can send us tumbling down a dangerous ravine or into painful darkness. Often, the perceived safety of familiarity is the mayhem that catches us off guard. Each day we make seemingly innocent choices in our lives, which take us off of our productive paths and onto another with hazards hidden by familiarity. When we walk unfamiliar ledges, we are on full alert but when we repeat familiar paths and patterns, we turn our warning systems off. 1 Corinthians 5:11 “… you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat“. In bible speak, this type of brother is anyone who professes kindred spiritual convictions, but whose life choices evidence contrary practices. God is not telling us to avoid sinners, unless they proclaim the familiarity of Christianity while routinely acting in a decidedly unchristian manner.

We all have family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances that fall clearly into this questionable brotherly category. When we are actually with or speaking to such people, do we concur with opinions which we would otherwise object to? Do we laugh at objectionable jokes or stories? Do we offer support or sympathy to their causes when it is clear to us that they are the problem, not others whom they accuse? Are we even remotely inclined to go along with something, that we would never consider if we were alone or with true believers and followers of Christ? If we can answer yes to any of these questions, we are on a perilous path.

We’d all like to believe that we can securely hold on to and not compromise our fragile Christian character in such situations, but even a minor confrontation often results in the irreparable breakage of such relationships, something which is too difficult for many to accept. One very logical prayer which deals with these perils goes like this; heavenly Father, please remove from my life any relationship which might threaten or compromise, the life you want for me and help me to nurture relationships that support your teachings, in Jesus’s name, amen. Disruptive or destructive relationships are a serious threat to each of us. Great teacher’s learn more than they teach, but strive to share all that they learn.

JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE