A writer experiences the problem of finality in using words once public. He may wish he could add or subtract words. Too bad; nothing can be changed.
He can post an addendum to clarify. Which is the purpose of this post. In the above blog, I suggested that Christians need not, and should not, seek to vacate relationships where one party has caused needless, perhaps repeated, offence. I should have added that the rule applies where shared values exist in both parties. Such as the harmony between God the Father and God the Son. Such unanimity existed between God and Christ that Jesus considered no harm or pain excessive in obeying the Father. The principle applies in family’s of shared values: in homes between husband and wife, parents and children and among siblings; in churches between members of Christ’s church—though we often, and far too quickly, dissolve those ties. Another rule applies where no shared spiritual values exist, even in families and in churches. And certainly true where Christians relate to non-Christians, hoping to influence a decision for Christ. In those relationships, should Christians ever start to feel neutral towards the non-Christian’s lifestyle, they should immediately distance themselves from the relationship. Our faith in Christ has to be so strong, and our commitment to his teaching so inflexible, that even the strongest shared human relationship means nothing. We stand with him against anyone who doesn’t submit to him. The principle in this case is: if our Christian faith encourages the unsaved to draw nearer Jesus, retain it. If the unsaved draws us farther from Jesus, or even if it weakens our relationship with Jesus, severely reduce or eliminate the contact. No need exists to lose a saved soul while trying to save a lost soul who doesn’t want to be found. Fini
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