Gay friends

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heymikey80

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Recently I found out that two of my bestest friends (both girls) are dating. They're pretty serious about it, though I'm pretty sure they're not having sex. I already told them I don't understand completely, but I'd still be their friend. What should I do? :lost:
It's pretty confusing, isn't it. I've noticed a number of postings saying to separate from, or to accept, your gay friends. Can I propose something just a little different?

The Crucial point behind everything in Christianity has nothing to do with separation or acceptance. We humans tend to think in these two categories almost as a knee-jerk reaction. "It could be bad." "It could be good."

But Christ didn't come to Earth to separate from humanity. He also didn't come to Earth to accept humanity as-is, either, did He.

He came to redeem humanity.

Look for your opportunity to redeem people, by being a follower of Christ and not the world. That means, yes, you could continue connecting with your gay friends. But let -- maybe even suggest -- the subjects discussed turn to eternity, right & wrong, and what God thinks.

This is going to be tough. It's hard to talk about something people are doing wrong as being wrong, while you're still agreeable and at peace with sinners. Let them know you're at peace with them, even though you think they're doing wrong (um, do you?). It's what God says. It's a disappointing use of what God's given them, just as adultery is, just as all sex sin is. And it's a deep cut in the way Creation was supposed to be.

It could also be caused by environmental factors. Masculinity in people has turned sour. "macho" is just abusiveness. So I can even recognize the environmental cause (though they might object). Also, communion among husband & wife in marriage is in steep decline; and it's a primary emphasis of Christian marriage.

Redemption. It's critical. When you find yourself assimilating or rejecting, it must be because you're trying to redeem. If it's not, it's wrong, and you should consider the alternative.

There's a lot to understand about the sexuality issue. For four centuries Christians were sent to their deaths because they were different, sexually. They were pure. It showed. It was painfully obvious. It's a despairing thought that we're dashing their example in the beds of our own cultures.

Martyrs are real stories; caked with tradition, there's a real story under there.

Perpetua and Felicity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Agatha of Sicily - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
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banish'd

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Hello heymike80,

I find Presbyteran theology very interesting, however Paul outlined the Corinthian's social relations quite differently.

"I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (Corinthians 5:9-13)

I can remember back during my Catholic days when the priest clam to be like Jesus and redeem people. Is that what you were talking about? Holy Orders passed down from Peter?



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heymikey80

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Hello heymike80,

I find Presbyteran theology very interesting, however Paul outlined the Corinthian's social relations quite differently.

"I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (Corinthians 5:9-13)
I would suggest, though, that your association be redemptive, as Paul directs:
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ep 5:16
Paul's definitely correct that you can't avoid associating with sinful people. Indeed, Paul's instruction is to avoid those who call themselves Christian brothers, who are such. But Paul admits that's not his intent, to shut people off.

On the other hand, I've had enough young people who started well, but who felt, yet weren't, strong enough to handle the overtures of gay friends, wiccan friends, New Age friends on their own. Lone Christians are lone sheep. The best recommendation I have is to work in a small group of Christians, and work with non-Christians by learning and training in the Christian view.
I can remember back during my Catholic days when the priest clam to be like Jesus and redeem people. Is that what you were talking about? Holy Orders passed down from Peter?
Actually, I'm talking about the mission Jesus left us:
As you are going therefore make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matt 28:19-20
 
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Hiroyuki

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Recently I found out that two of my bestest friends (both girls) are dating. They're pretty serious about it, though I'm pretty sure they're not having sex. I already told them I don't understand completely, but I'd still be their friend. What should I do? :lost:


God made them two, male and female, so they are not with the ones God made for them.



That means they, and their intended spouses are all out there spreading sin. People are not happy when they are this way, they were designed to be together.


Sex, the illusion of satisfaction through false relationships, the illusion of such friendship... it is all fake.

And it spreads a message through society of this evil.


So, consider an evil you do strong disapprove of. And consider, "Would I OK this and trumpet it is OK through society"?

You may not consider this evil, but you should give it thought as God has asked you to trust Him that it IS bad.
 
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