Healthy versus Unhealthy Relationships

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

In our quest for direction we will hear differing viewpoints and perspectives from our own brethren

.... yet in the Body we called to unity and NOT UNIFORMITY ... some have chose closed fellowship w/ the Christian bretheren and other's seek an AGAPE-like type fellowship.

Doctine is extremely important ... but let's not confuse things like views on the moderate consumption of alcohol w/ the Mighty God in Christ.

This is not about one issue, and you take great liberty in assuming too much.

However, general ministerial attitudes of blatant permissiveness in all fleshly lusts disturbs me greatly. To revel in a substance that has caused a tremendous amount of heartache and pain is shameful.

Further, there must be uniformity in biblical doctrine. We can know truth.

Trinitarianism is a damnable doctrine.

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by revrandy

We are also responsible for our fellowship...

I have no problem being "friends" with someone who disagree's with me doctrinally but do not consider them to be a "brother of like faith or passions"...

Considering them to be equal in love yes...equal in mercy yes...but not equal in Truth...and that is the difference...

Do I think some can believe a lie and die never knowing the truth yes...

Do I think some can know the Truth and die never making heaven yes...

Doctrinal Truth is a Great Responsibility when one has received the Revelation ..it is our responsibility to share it to whomever we can...

Telling those that are not in the truth they are wrong on Doctrine... but can come to know that Truth and it will set them free...

Courting those who not in Truth will justify their belief more than to help them understand their blindness....

I do believe the UPC and Oneness Organizations have the Truth concerning Doctrine.... and the Trinitarians have swallowed Catholicism and False Doctrine and it will lead them to Hell... Unless they come to the Truth of WHO He is...

You can't have it both ways...

That being said...

I love Everybody.... and I have friends who are Not in the Truth or have forsaken it...and I still talk with them...and I have let them know..that even tho' I disagree with them... I am still their friend.... and love them....
imo..

Totally agree Randy.

[rgcraig]

Great thread!

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

This is not about one issue, and you take great liberty in assuming too much.

However, general ministerial attitudes of blatant permissiveness in all fleshly lusts disturbs me greatly. To revel in a substance that has caused a tremendous amount of heartache and pain is shameful.

Further, there must be uniformity in biblical doctrine. We can know truth.

Trinitarianism is a damnable doctrine.

Once again our perspectives as to intents have diverged. You are entitled to your pespective even if it's founded on faulty information and HYPERBOLE.

I believe we can know truth ... agreed ....

But our movement was founded on divergent views when it comes to soteriology .. the when, who, how we are saved....

the modern intolerant view is not in touch w/ our heritage .... it is IMO .... NON-APOSTOLIC.

[MissBrattified]

My friends and I don't agree on everything. And we don't pretend to agree just to get along. We're able to be friendly about our disagreements. BUT...I'm not going to spend a lot of time with people who make me feel bad, or insult me, or who "bring me down", or are otherwise a negative influence in my life.

Choose your friends carefully.

That said, if you have a friend that chooses some path or belief that causes them to be less than compatible or ideal, it would be wrong to desert them. A friend loveth at all times. Conversely, there are lines that can be crossed, and its up to the individual to decide what those lines are.

Choosing to abstain from close fellowship with someone doesn't mean you can't still love them and be kind to them.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

My friends and I don't agree on everything. And we don't pretend to agree just to get along. We're able to be friendly about our disagreements. BUT...I'm not going to spend a lot of time with people who make me feel bad, or insult me, or who "bring me down", or are otherwise a negative influence in my life.

Choose your friends carefully.

That said, if you have a friend that chooses some path or belief that causes them to be less than compatible or ideal, it would be wrong to desert them. A friend loveth at all times. Conversely, there are lines that can be crossed, and its up to the individual to decide what those lines are.

Choosing to abstain from close fellowship with someone doesn't mean you can't still love them and be kind to them.

As always clear, balanced and filled w/ COMMON SENSE, Brat.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by revrandy

That being said...

I love Everybody.... and I have friends who are Not in the Truth or have forsaken it...and I still talk with them...and I have let them know..that even tho' I disagree with them... I am still their friend.... and love them....
imo..

RR,

How close are you with those you are friends with who are not in the Truth? I don't think there is anything wrong with talking to those of different beliefs and being friendly with them but how friendly before what they believe rubs off on you?

I have friends at work who would invite me out for drinks after work. I've told them I don't drink. I've been there and done that but now that I'm a Christian I'm not into drinking anymore. They would still invite me and say drink soda or lemonade. But I know I would be uncomfortable with the surroundings and more so with their conversation...gossip, sexual innuendos, which tends to loosen up with a few drinks. So I politely decline. Yet I'm friendly with them at work. We discuss family, work problems, and general things and sometimes faith in God.

How close a friendship can you have to someone who believes basic foundational doctrines differently than you do?

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

My friends and I don't agree on everything. And we don't pretend to agree just to get along. We're able to be friendly about our disagreements. BUT...I'm not going to spend a lot of time with people who make me feel bad, or insult me, or who "bring me down", or are otherwise a negative influence in my life.

Choose your friends carefully.

That said, if you have a friend that chooses some path or belief that causes them to be less than compatible or ideal, it would be wrong to desert them. A friend loveth at all times. Conversely, there are lines that can be crossed, and its up to the individual to decide what those lines are.

Choosing to abstain from close fellowship with someone doesn't mean you can't still love them and be kind to them.

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

RR,

How close are you with those you are friends with who are not in the Truth? I don't think there is anything wrong with talking to those of different beliefs and being friendly with them but how friendly before what they believe rubs off on you?

I have friends at work who would invite me out for drinks after work. I've told them I don't drink. I've been there and done that but now that I'm a Christian I'm not into drinking anymore. They would still invite me and say drink soda or lemonade. But I know I would be uncomfortable with the surroundings and more so with their conversation...gossip, sexual innuendos, which tends to loosen up with a few drinks. So I politely decline. Yet I'm friendly with them at work. We discuss family, work problems, and general things and sometimes faith in God.

How close a friendship can you have to someone who believes basic foundational doctrines differently than you do?

That's as about as close as I come to... I do have some close friends who know what I believe as they used to believe the same...but probably wouldn't invite me to participate knowing what I believe...

I have talked about mutual respect with some I am friends with... I respect their boundaries and they respect mine... even tho I disagree with them...

but as far as hanging around folks or spending a lot of time...it's with those who I know are doctrinally sound and of like faith...

To much difference tends to sway the balance no matter how strong a person is... and to little difference tends to cement the heart...so there really needs to be a balance beam of walking together... imo... if that makes any sense...

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

My friends and I don't agree on everything. And we don't pretend to agree just to get along. We're able to be friendly about our disagreements. BUT...I'm not going to spend a lot of time with people who make me feel bad, or insult me, or who "bring me down", or are otherwise a negative influence in my life.

Choose your friends carefully.

That said, if you have a friend that chooses some path or belief that causes them to be less than compatible or ideal, it would be wrong to desert them. A friend loveth at all times. Conversely, there are lines that can be crossed, and its up to the individual to decide what those lines are.

Choosing to abstain from close fellowship with someone doesn't mean you can't still love them and be kind to them.

I can love someone without spending time with them. Sometimes loving someone requires us to remove ourselves from them.

The entire premise of some friendships is faulty. Some befriend you with an ulterior motive in mind. Some are only kind when you enable their horrible habits and doctrines. Some only believe in tolerance when tolerance is extended to them, and in return they are completely intolerant of those with firm convictions.

I believe in truthfulness in friendships.

I don't appreciate hidden motives and agendas.