Drawing Lines: Where Do Yours Begin?

Well, folks, let's be honest here.

Everyone worth their salt should have convictions.

Gut convictions.
Deep rooted, heartfelt convictions.
Never fading, soul captivating convictions.

I don't mind telling you that, in my opinion, if you don't have some real convictions you probably don't have a real relationship with God. The difference in most of us is where we draw the line when it comes to fellowshipping around our convictions.

For instance, your convictions may be much more 'relaxed' than mine. Obviously, some of my convictions surely pertain to modesty of dress while other's don't put so much emphasis on spiritual disciplines pertaining to clothing.

If you are right with God you have, somewhere in your world, some serious beliefs upon which you build your spiritual disciplines. Again, the question is where do you draw the line and say, "I like you but that's a bit much for my spiritual comfort."

Among the spiritual disciplines in my life are things that would be insignificant to most but others would be critical to most as well:
EXAMPLE... I simply cannot bring myself to put anything on top of my Bible. It bothers me. It haunts me to think that I would disrespect the Word of God by chucking it into the back seat of my car and piling groceries on it! Hey, I won't even put a piece of paper on my Bible... strange to you? A conviction to me.

I wouldn't disfellowship anybody over it. I strongly teach my young ministers to respect it to the point that if I see something on their Bible they 'know' my displeasure.

HOWEVER... I simply could not, for any reason, put false doctrine in my pulpit to preach and don't think I could have any real fellowship with an Apostolic Church that thought the New Birth Doctrine so insignificant that putting a damnable doctrine in their pulpit was okay.

GET MY POINT?
Both of them are convictions to me;
Lines of fellowship, however, are drawn differently by various people.

Let's do something 'different' on AFF for a little while. Let's talk 'convictions' and where YOU draw the line of 'fellowship'. I'm NOT talking about 'hating' your brother or 'resenting' another Church or belief. I'm talking about a "I love you, Brother, but that is a very important issue to me that I can't 'overlook' in my pursuit of fellowship."

What conviction do you have that would be hard for you to fellowship 'around'? Where do you draw your lines.

Not looking for a 'standards' thread here... looking for a 'I'm close enough to God that my personal convictions can't be ignored on this issue.

Who is brave enough to admit to a conviction that strong?

[OP_Carl]

People who remain or become involved in multi-level marketing business schemes when Holy-Ghost-filled demonstrate to me insufficient discernment for me to fellowship with them on anything more than a casual greeting basis.

I have a hard time remaining friends with men who publicly degrade their wives. They're unwittingly taking a cheesegrater to their own flesh, they're sending a signal to their wife that they have buyer's remorse, and they're informing their audience that they lack the ability to make good choices and/or decisions. I cut a little slack for the guys who married their live-in girlfriend or the mother of their child after they got in church.

I won't fellowship people, of whom there are many in my own church who have broadcast television in their homes. This I do mainly for my children.

I won't fellowship gossipmongers. My wife ends up trapped in the nursery sometimes, and the things she tells me afterwards will stand your hair on end! I don't believe in spreading gossip, and so the corrollary must be that I refuse to listen to it as well. I rebuke those that try it with me.

I avoid the company of men who create nicknames for other men, or call everyone 'Buddy.'

[Sherri]

I have a real problem fellowshipping with anyone who lacks basic integrity, and there are several in ministry. Lying, inconsistency, lack of financial integrity, and any such thing just drives me nuts!

[Twisp]

I have the "no putting anything on the Bible" hangup also. I am not sure if it is a conviction or just habit from what my Dad taught me. I don't think there is anything wrong with it, I guess it is just hardwired into me at this point.

As far as my own convictions, lying is where I draw the line. If someone lies to me, they lose all credibility and respect from me. I have no business dealing with anyone that I cannot trust beyond casual acknowledgments. It changes the whole dynamic of the relationship for me. I know all sin is the same, that is just the one thing that gets me riled up more than anything else. I also tend to react stronger to religious people lying than others. I guess I feel they should know a little better.

[Raven]

Steadfast

Good subject matter to discuss. I was intrigued by your example of putting anything on your Bible. Not strange at all, for I have the very same "conviction"and anyone around our home will tell you that putting anything on top of the Bible is a No, No. [I'm even a little particular about which version of the Bible gets stacked on top! LOL ]
Bottom line for me is: Someone may have convictions different than I do but just be honest and genuine with them. That's something I can respect.
Raven

[Coonskinner]

I have also for as long as I can remember refused to place anything on top of my Bible. I didn't get that from my pastor or anybody, and I thought I was the oddball in that respect. I guess I'm not.

I also refuse to fellowship anyone who would have a false doctrine preacher in the pulpit.

I will fellowship men who are more "liberal" than I am, within limits.

I avoid those, however, who have a casual or flippant attitude toward consecration and the things of God, even if they observe standards that are as strong or even stronger than mine. Spirits make men, and that spirit I can't tolerate.

[rgcraig]

One of my lines is with lying. Can't tolerate that.

On the flip side, there are some people that are too spiritual for earthly good and I have a hard time being around them. You can discern it's not truly genuine. They seem fake and like they are hiding something in their lives by being super spiritual - know what I mean?

[Esther]

Right at the moment there are only two things I can think of.

1. First on my list is lying. I have NO respect for a liar. And I especially hate premeditated liars. Ex. If you repeat that I will deny I said it. So why say it in the first place?

2. Arrogrance. Thinks they are better than everyone else. I have seen one pastor I know do this more than once, and it irrates me to no end. They are making good money now, but there was a time they didn't. Why do people forget their roots.


As to putting anything on the Bible I am pretty much that way also, but not to the extreme, as I used to be.

As to convictions where do "I" draw the line. I have to ask myself "What is my motive?" Do I have an agenda as to why I where or don't wear certain clothing?

There are many things I have no personal conviction over but I don't do in respect for my brothers and sisters in the Lord.

[Sister Alvear]

I like this thread and hope many will respond...I will respond more later today...However some of the things that would or do bother me are people who are not honest, people who do not pay their bills, people who do not correct their little children, people who do not take care of what God gives them such as their house, their car etc. I think filth draws evil spirits.

I do not care to be around or fellowship people that are always running others down or causing endless divisions.

I have a personal convition about voting so I do not vote but that is not doctrine. I do not think God and politics mix.

I believe the first church had all things in common therefore anything I have that someone else needsour people know this is truth...I give it away. I do not believe in hording back money neither do I believe millionaries will be in heaven unless they give their money to the poor...

Having clothes, a house and a car is about all we need to get through life the rest should be put to the evangelization of the world if we really believe that all should hear the gospel.

I am quite a diferent person so some of my convictions would scare you! ha....HOWEVER I live by them.

I believe in Acts 2:38 in context with ALL the Bible.

More maybe later...

[Apprehended]

HAUGHTINESS

I will NOT fellowship haughtiness, either real or perceived. If my perception is wrong, I will come to realize it later on which will temper my attitude.

Haughtiness is an attitude disguised under many different ho-bo rags all disguised to conceal the real spirit of the man/woman. I can smell them a mile off. It is contemptible...

I realize none deserve the goodness and grace that God has bestowed upon us all...especially me, but to then assume a haughty spirit especially so when they/me/anyone really deserves hell rather than God's grace.

I will not abide anyone, nor will I listen to a preacher who has a haughty spirit, neither will I tarry long.