You’ve already lived the life of the flesh. They slander you because of the life you now live but they too will give an account to their wrong doing. But be sober minded in prayer. Be constant in love for one another. Because love covers a multitude of sin. And while others are in sin you can love them in it while being a minister through it. You can’t go and pull people out of the burning fire if they still have the pursuit of the flame.
We tend to feel it’s necessary to “draw a line” between the “sinner and the saint”. Its not a my sin is holy and yours isn’t. No sin is holy. It’s a how far do I go without engaging in sin while still trying to minister to the sinner.
You can love someone from a distance while still knowing what they’re going through. Celebrating them through it. Crying with them. Praising God with them. Even Doubting sometimes. While all the more praying with them.
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:8-11
While not engaging into sinful activities along with them. We/You don’t have to be pressured to be “Christlike” it should roll off into are actions. Words. Support. Advice. Time. They’ll sense it. They’ll realize there’s something about you that’s rare and common. And they’ll be respectful towards it. Even if they don’t God’s our defender.
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.”
1 Peter 4:1-6
Many relationship/friendships. I’ve encountered or pursued. With unbelievers or non religious people. We can agree to disagree while still having respect for the other’s beliefs or unbeliefs. It’s not a matter of who’s right or who’s wrong. But even in the slightest way possible Christ will be magnified if it’s by my actions, words, encouragement or my advice. It’s not about being “Crazy Christ like” it’s about a overtime pursuit of someone’s trust and ability to love them like Christ loves us. The Holy Spirit will intercede.
The Pursuit Of Shalom 