Should I accept this invitation?

[gb93433]

Originally posted by Dr. Bob:
Trying to summarize the arguments:

If eating with BELIEVERS that are living an evil, ungodly, immoral lifestyle is CONDEMNED, the implication is that eating with NON-BELIEVERS (to win them, of course) is NOT condemned? Not good logic there.

But remember the only people Jesus condemned were the Pharisees.

If I read scripture right the kind of believers you talked about are to be disciplined and cast out as a Gentile and tax collector.

It is one thing to be at an orgy and another to be at a BBQ where people you know are there who happen to be getting together and be drinking as well.

Every sinner I encounter is a sinner not saved. I expect them to act like sinners not saints. I expect them to talk and think like sinners. But if they try to entice me to do evil things I refuse. I stand my ground on doing things that will represent God. I am His ambassador.

If I saw some immoral outward actions I would immediately leave.

I never go to the home of someone without keeping in mind who my God is.

If I can't go in a right conscience before God then I don't go.

 

[LorrieGrace]

This is just something to throw in. I have never been to a birthday party where the spouse did not hug and kiss the other spouse for honoring them with a party. It would just seem like this would happen in this case, but I am just speculating on that. I know I would feel uncomfortable in such a situation.

I do have the opinion that Debby will make the right decision for her and that whatever she decides to do, I will be praying for her. I will also pray in advance for her, should her co worker come to her about her opinion of homosexuality.

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by Debby in Philly:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Dr. Bob:

Is this just like working in the next cubicle to a sodomite?

That is exactly what I do every day. And I am his team leader. And I have already witnessed to him. I have loaned him the book on creationism, since he argues with his "partner" about it, he taking the creationism side and wanting scientific proof to refute his "partner." I have explained the plan of salvation, and what it means to me. Not pushing it, but when subject of beliefs arrises. He has never asked me point blank about homosexuality and my view. When and if that time comes, I pray that I can explain it in such a way that it doesn't sound like I think I am better than he. Thank God, he still thinks of me as someone with a valuable opinion on more than just work matters. Will he still listen if suddenly I am "too holy" to enter his house? </font>[/QUOTE]Good for you. God is giving you favor with that man. use it to His glory. My wife had a boss just like your coworker. Today the man left his lover and is married to his former wife. He told my wife he could not believe how stupid he was and now how happy he is with his wife now. He has given us favor with that man. He knows we are believers. You should have seen the recommendation he gave my wife when we moved.

Should you decide to go I am praying that God will give you grace and be a true witness of the grace of God.

That man is having these discussions with you for a reason. Something is missing in his heart. Only Christ can fill that void. He knows you are different.

Before you go, pray for God to open the door and to give you the right words to say with boldness. He will when it is the perfect time.

Prov. 28:1, "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion."

 

[dianetavegia]

Originally posted by Debby in Philly:
Will he still listen if suddenly I am "too holy" to enter his house?

Will he still value your testimony if you go to his house as if he is not living in sin or will he see your attendance as acceptance?

Would I go shopping with a prostitute? Would I go to lunch with a woman friend that I knew was having an affair? Would I borrow money from someone who was stealing from their boss? Would I allow my kids to attend a birthday party at a house where the adults were not married but living together. Would I allow a woman who was living with a man in a 'marriage' not legal to keep my child?

NOPE

 

[KeeperOfMyHome]

Debby,

This is not being "too holy". If that were the case, I'm sure you would refuse to work with him, no?

A party or gathering of friends is fellowship. To fellowship can be to co-participate OR to share in company with. Read Ephesians 5.

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:10)

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:11)

For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. (Ephesians 5:12)

Or 2 Corinthians 6 -

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

I think that if you do go, you will end up feeling quite uncomfortable. Though there may be straight and gay alike at the gathering, think of what ungodly behaviour you might witness while in attendence. Remember, that is one of the things that disgusts God, as it should us.

Julia

 

[LorrieGrace]

I always think: Would I want Jesus to come back and find me here???

 

[SaggyWoman]

Originally posted by joyfulkeeperathome:
In church tonight, we were in I Corinthians (well, actually we are studying through Hebrews, but it happened to take us to I Corithians 10. Anyway, I got off reading the rest of the chapter (as I often do, not being disrespectful in church, but I just like to know what the entire content of the passage is...). Anyway, in I Corinthians 10:27 it says "If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake." Now, from this verse, I got a couple of things. It's okay to eat with sinners!!! But you shouldn't go if it would offend your conscience or the conscience of other brothers (okay, so the second point I got from the context, not necessarily from the one verse....but anyway, here it is!) I believe the verse quoted earlier showing that you shouldn't go was only talking about unrepentant believers, not the lost world....

Thank you and I ditto!

 

[SaggyWoman]

How is walking into someone's house giving a stamp of approval?

I know people who struggle with a lot of things.. .. But I can go to their house.

 

[SaggyWoman]

Every day every moment is a teachable moment. Take opportunities that are given!

 

[SaggyWoman]

Originally posted by LorrieGrace:
I always think: Would I want Jesus to come back and find me here???

God would know my heart, and I praise God that I would be out doing his work!

 

[SaggyWoman]

Originally posted by I Am Blessed 16:
Debby; I don't mean this to be rude, but it sounds like you have made up your mind to go and you're looking for validation that it's all right.

§ue

Honestly, I don't mean this rude, either, but if you need validation, here is my stamp.

If you are a weak Christian, don't go. If you are strong, pray about it, and if God leads you, GO!! Missionaries don't always have the ability to have millions of Christian friends around them. In fact, I recently spoke with a missionary that had been in France, and she said the one thing she missed is only knowing the Christians she worked with--everyone else was non Christians. So her social world was non Christians.

 

[SaggyWoman]

Originally posted by Dr. Bob:
If we follow the example of Jesus, He DID eat with "sinners", but always with REPENTANCE. Zach and Mary Magdalene, et al, did not flaunt their lifestyle or continue in it. Don't paint a pix of Jesus having dinner with a different whore each night. That is NOT what the NT shows. These were people who, unlike the Pharisees, recognized their sinfulness.

But, did everyone--EVERYONE--that Jesus ate with repent?

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by dianetavegia:

Would I go shopping with a prostitute? Would I go to lunch with a woman friend that I knew was having an affair? Would I borrow money from someone who was stealing from their boss? Would I allow my kids to attend a birthday party at a house where the adults were not married but living together. Would I allow a woman who was living with a man in a 'marriage' not legal to keep my child?

NOPE

Those are all choices you are free to make.

You buy gas for your car that mostly comes from the Middle East and supports Muslims.

Every sin in the world can be found in the church. Read the Bible and see what is addressed in those pages to the church.

The number of judgments you can place on people is endless.

 

[Roy]

Debbie: If you had a child (and maybe you do), would you approve of that child's attending a party at a homosexual's house? I know that I would have a problem with that, and as a parent, I would be setting a poor example by doing such a thing myself.

I believe that your apprehension over this may be comming from your number one parent, your Heavenly Father. Please just bow out politely and pray for the man.

Roy

 

[av1611jim]

The question;
Should I accept this invitation?


NOPE.
All arguments fer-it and agin-it aside;
I echo several other folks' statements. If you have doubts then do not go.
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and the things wherewith one may edify another.
Ask yourself; does this action edify other saints?
Rom 14:22-23 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
The mere fact that you have doubts as to the correctness of this action should lead you to forbear going. The mere fact that you have doubts indicates that you do not have faith that this thing is of God.
I hope this helps.
I would say based on your comments in this thread, and by the threads title, and most of all, by the words of God; you should not go.

In His service;
Jim

 

[joyfulkeeperathome]

If you were out witnessing door to door and the door you happened to come to was that of a homosexual couple, how would going into their house be a stamp of approval??? I guess I don't understand the stamp of approval thing. I have non-Christian friends who smoke and drink and do other such things, but going to their house does not mean that I am approving what they do. It means that I am interested in cultivating a friendship to bring them to Crhist!!!

 

[TC]

I kind of question that to. If simply going to their house means your giving them a stamp of approval, then putting gas in your car (from mideast oil) is giving Islam a stamp of approval as well. So, I guess that you had better make sure you don't ever buy any gas made from mideast oil.

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by joyfulkeeperathome:
I guess I don't understand the stamp of approval thing. I have non-Christian friends who smoke and drink and do other such things, but going to their house does not mean that I am approving what they do. It means that I am interested in cultivating a friendship to bring them to Christ!!!

Good for you! The majority of people sitting in the pews have never led one person to Christ. Even fewer have personally discipled anyone. The fruit tells everything.

Remember 13:7, "Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith."

 

[steveo]

What about going to family gatherings where there are family members who live together, drink, cuss,etc..
This hits a little closer to home.
1 cor 5:10,11 talks about us not fellowshipping with beleivers who do these things not unbelievers, for we would have to go out of the world.
At the same time we shouldn't participate in the
unfruitful works of darkness eph 5:11.
It comes down to , are you participating in the unfruitful works of darkness?

 

[KeithS]

What about a wife who gets saved after being married 20 years and no longer wants to drink, party, cuss, etc. with her husband? Is she participating in the "unfruitful works of darkness" because she lives in the same house with the man? Certainly not. Should she divorce him so that "light" and "darkness" will no longer fellowship? Certainly not. By showing an interest (compassion, impathy, spiritual concern) in a fellow sinner who happens to be unsaved are you participating in their sin? Certainly not.

Where to draw the line, however, is certainly difficult.