What hurts the most is that this friend is a brother in Christ. We were both very involved in campus ministry when we were in college. We prayed together, led Bible studies together, went on more retreats and ministry opportunities than I can even remember. Things went south over a situation when we worked together several years ago, and we hadn't talked in a long time. Then, a bunch of us found each other on Facebook, exchanged pictures of our families, got caught up with each other, and started talking about reunions. Then came politics.
The odd thing is, about this same time I became friends with someone else that I hadn't seen since high school. As we went through the same routine of getting caught up with each other's lives, she let me know that she's been in a same-sex relationship for the past several years. I let her know that I was part of a conservative Christian denomination that considers that lifestyle as sinful. But we kept talking. We continue to have mutual respect for one another. I don't feel I've compromised my beliefs in order to continue conversation. I hope both of us would say we are learning from each other.
So what it comes down to is this. Two conservative Christians can't be friends because they disagree on politics, but a conservative Christian can be friends with a lesbian in spite of their disagreements on lifestyle. Does anyone else see something deeply wrong with this picture?
"If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship, as we walked with the throng at the house of God."
Psalm 55:12-14
Posts
2 comments:
Great post James. Im not adovating any political party side, have voted and am thankful for the right to do so. However, it sickens me that some folks on my FB friends list mark their status with "How can you be a Christian and vote Republican and/or Democrat?"
Keep reaching out James! You, and those people, will be better for it!
James - great post brother. I recently had the opportunity to preach at church as part of our Pride series and it dealt directly with unity / disunity is the Body due to our pride. I'm sorry you lost a friend in the midst of the political madness. God - help us stay unified in the Body. The words of Jesus come to mind, "They will know you are my followers/disciples by the way you love each other."
Post a Comment