who can you trust

[Gerald1]

Hi my name is Gerald and am new to this forum. Just want to say HI to Sophia 7 and thanks for the welcome. Anyway i am a SDA from South Africa and i have this perplexing problem at church. Recently i befriended another brother at church as he is knowledgable about certain aspects of our faith and i enjoy conversing with him. Since our friendship has grown stronger other friends of mine seem to have drifted away with one in particular. He on the other hand does not even read his bible or even carry one to church and i find it difficult talking to him about spiritual matters. He is a youth leader and to say the least i am disgusted at his behaviour. He seems to pass silly comments at others about my friendship with this other brother. I have been going thru a bad patch in my life and needed strong spiritual guidenace and God led me to a strong spiritual infllence. i am a bit dismayed as we are having a week of prayer and this friend refused to acknowledge my presence at the meeting. How do i go about handling this situation as this is a friend but more especially a youth leader.

 

[tall73]

Hi my name is Gerald and am new to this forum. Just want to say HI to Sophia 7 and thanks for the welcome. Anyway i am a SDA from South Africa and i have this perplexing problem at church. Recently i befriended another brother at church as he is knowledgable about certain aspects of our faith and i enjoy conversing with him. Since our friendship has grown stronger other friends of mine seem to have drifted away with one in particular. He on the other hand does not even read his bible or even carry one to church and i find it difficult talking to him about spiritual matters. He is a youth leader and to say the least i am disgusted at his behaviour. He seems to pass silly comments at others about my friendship with this other brother. I have been going thru a bad patch in my life and needed strong spiritual guidenace and God led me to a strong spiritual infllence. i am a bit dismayed as we are having a week of prayer and this friend refused to acknowledge my presence at the meeting. How do i go about handling this situation as this is a friend but more especially a youth leader.

First of all, when there is personal conflict it is ALWAYS best to follow the advice of Jesus in Matthew 18. If this friend has been speaking of you behind your back you must go and speak to him about it directly, and privately. Depending on what he says you might have somewhere to go with it.

First of all, where did you find out he was saying things about you? If it is a second hand (he didn't do it in front of you), then you might want to give him the benefit of the doubt and say "I heard this from ________ is it true?

You should not feel ashamed at all to gain advice or friendship with someone who is solid in the church. But if you can both save this other friendship, and set him an example of following Jesus' method, it is a good thing.

As to him being a youth pastor, while it could cause problems for you, it does not change Jesus' statement as to what you must do. If anything you might mention to him that you are following what Jesus said to do.

God bless, and we will pray for you.

 

[capnator]

Hi my name is Gerald and am new to this forum. Just want to say HI to Sophia 7 and thanks for the welcome. Anyway i am a SDA from South Africa and i have this perplexing problem at church. Recently i befriended another brother at church as he is knowledgable about certain aspects of our faith and i enjoy conversing with him. Since our friendship has grown stronger other friends of mine seem to have drifted away with one in particular. He on the other hand does not even read his bible or even carry one to church and i find it difficult talking to him about spiritual matters. He is a youth leader and to say the least i am disgusted at his behaviour. He seems to pass silly comments at others about my friendship with this other brother. I have been going thru a bad patch in my life and needed strong spiritual guidenace and God led me to a strong spiritual infllence. i am a bit dismayed as we are having a week of prayer and this friend refused to acknowledge my presence at the meeting. How do i go about handling this situation as this is a friend but more especially a youth leader.

What you need to do is Mat 5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Not everyone who says they are christian are. Do not look to base your faith on the lives of other people! but you should Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

 

[Aceybee]

Pray, pray, pray,pray.. did I mention pray?
Apart from that, just do your best. You aren't expected to force him to listen to you or anything. Try and find out where the friendship is.. You might be able to begin restoring it in little things like just sending a note to say hi, was thinking of you or something. It seems like he might be having trouble with something in his own life and his difficulty in coping with it is affecting his ability to understand your need for a strong spiritual friend. It might feel that you are pushing him away even though you aren't and this might make him feel resentful. I'm not sure.
But continue living Gods love, and praying for him, and I know God will look after you

God Bless

 

[inbeforeBelAir]

Christianity is a "religious" cult which entails the discrimination of any persons who don't follow the cult in question. Major victims of Christian aggression include, but are not limited to: Homo-Sapients of African descent, Homo-Sapients of any other religious cult, and all homosexuals. In modern days, the most widely debated Christian actions in the public eye are the supression of medical freedom (i.e. the use of abortion), the unacceptance of homosexuality and the belief that the Christian creation story should be taught in schools in place of the big bang theory.

 

[Telaquapacky]

I think it's a shame that one has to choose who one can be friends with, as if you can't be so-and-so's friend without becoming my enemy. Someone is lacking in Christian maturity. You may have an opportunity to be a bridge. Like Aceybee said, something to pray about.

 

[Joshua J. Daigle]

I've heard of similiar incidents. It amazes me that such behavior takes place in the church. Hopefully, with God's guidance, things will resolve themselves.

 

[FEZZILLA]

Hi my name is Gerald and am new to this forum. Just want to say HI to Sophia 7 and thanks for the welcome. Anyway i am a SDA from South Africa and i have this perplexing problem at church. Recently i befriended another brother at church as he is knowledgable about certain aspects of our faith and i enjoy conversing with him. Since our friendship has grown stronger other friends of mine seem to have drifted away with one in particular. He on the other hand does not even read his bible or even carry one to church and i find it difficult talking to him about spiritual matters. He is a youth leader and to say the least i am disgusted at his behaviour. He seems to pass silly comments at others about my friendship with this other brother. I have been going thru a bad patch in my life and needed strong spiritual guidenace and God led me to a strong spiritual infllence. i am a bit dismayed as we are having a week of prayer and this friend refused to acknowledge my presence at the meeting. How do i go about handling this situation as this is a friend but more especially a youth leader.

Been in the same situation. What you think is a friend is not a friend at all. Life is short, and true friendship is hard to find with people; so I'd find other friends who have the love of Christ in them and not waste time on those who frown on you for silly reasons. Some people who are respected in the SDA-church are the ones to stay away from the most. I joined a Sunday church and found true loving christians who actually respect the poor and stick to what the Bible says. Sometimes its very very hard to meet new friends and leave the leeches, but the more you waste your time the harder it's going to be when reality hits you hard on the head. Don't waste your time here on earth on worldy friends at a worldly church who conducts worldly services.