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Excellent point. I do understand, i think, the attempt at limiting certain people. However, if we shutout people because they arent living a wholesome life isnt that limiting our outreach as christians.
Some people are strong enough to be around bad influences and not be affected by it and others who are weak might go astray. I think the fact that his pastor told him to keep away from bad influence is a clue that he might need to do that. Accept your friend and don't push him to do things he feels he should not do.
A teacher told our class years ago that people who don't drink alcoholic beverages don't like to be around people that do. The smell of the alcoholic beverages is enough to turn me off. Alcoholic beverages stink!
Excellent point. I do understand, i think, the attempt at limiting certain people. However, if we shutout people because they arent living a wholesome life isnt that limiting our outreach as christians.
Too many shades of grey to paint this with a broad stroke. On one hand, if we isolate ourselves, it does limit the opportunity we have with others. On the other, if we invite evil into our lives, we run the risk of being consumed by it (and this can be extreme circumstances, but I could give real life examples if needed).
Of course Jesus hung around those people who were not preferred in society. When Jesus was alive, society was broken down into a definate class system. One reason he got on the bad side of the Romans was that Jesus was seen as a rebel for breaking down class bariers, accepting, loving, and helping those who were deemed outcasts by society. He certainly did not hide from them.
Jesus was among sinners to affect a change in them not be in agreement with wrong living or coarse communications. As it written, "Be not unegually yoked." Greet those who are without the faith Jesus said and hold any conversation worth engageing in and avoid the rest. They will either respect you or seperate you from their company by avoiding you or telling you to say no more of religion, God or Jesus. Which ever way they put it you will know and then don't cast your pearls to the unwilling but relate in other ways common to all.
Some Christians believe that they should only maintain fellowship with other Christians, to help prevent unneeded exposure to temptation and sin. In there defense, there can be cause for moderation if the secular friends (be they athiest, agnostic, non-practiving Christian, or whoever) is going to drunken orgy parties or something, it may be best for the Christian not to go. On the other hand, one must be careful not to hide from the world either. No Christian is going to fight for God's kingdom while hiding from the World in the basement of their church.
One question. Is he a new Fundamental Christian? Many fundamental pastors and churches will want new Christians to limit their worldly contacts initially, until they are able to more strongly defend their faith within the world.
As with most religious groups or cults, those in charge don't want their disciples interacting with others who have different opinions and beliefs from thier own...this is how they are able to control their followers and keep them following...it is classic mind control, brain washing or coercive persuasion.
Studies have identified a number of key steps in coercive persuasion:
People are put in physically or emotionally distressing situations;
Their problems are reduced to one simple explanation, which is repeatedly emphasized;
They receive what seems to be unconditional love, acceptance, and attention from a charismatic leader or group;
They get a new identity based on the group;
They are subject to entrapment (isolation from friends, relatives and the mainstream culture) and their access to information is severely controlled
If a group uses these techniques...it should cause one to take pause and ascertain what the groups real agenda is.
Jesus was among sinners to affect a change in them not be in agreement with wrong living or coarse communications. As it written, "Be not unegually yoked." Greet those who are without the faith Jesus said and hold any conversation worth engageing in and avoid the rest. They will either respect you or seperate you from their company by avoiding you or telling you to say no more of religion, God or Jesus. Which ever way they put it you will know and then don't cast your pearls to the unwilling but relate in other ways common to all.
Very good!
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