Now I don't want to get off on a rant here...

What on earth?

Christians are a peculiar people indeed. This world brings out all the quirks in each and every one of us. We hear things like, “diversity is good or else life would get boring”. Frankly, I could deal with a share of boredom about now. Having a streak of rebellion and always avoiding, at least on some level, the mainstream things that people do I certainly appreciate originality. But when does sin infiltrate that originality and distort it into something worse?

In recent months I have had the joy of dealing with some peculiar people and it is difficult to know how to define these people. Are they part of the chosen generation, Christ’s own special people, who have been saved from the darkness (1 Peter 2:9)? Or are they atypical of Christian brothers and sisters and thus toxic to the unity of the Church?

I have been struggling with these ideas and wondering which category I fall into myself, Chosen or Toxic? Christin Ditchfield in an article titled Toxic Christians writes, “We have to be willing to suffer the slinging of a few fiery darts and arrows…But then again, the Scriptures repeatedly warn us to guard our own hearts and minds, and look out for our own spiritual wellbeing. There are some people whose spirits are so toxic that we have to limit our time with them—if not cut off contact completely. When it seems we just can't avoid these people, we have to remember that God may be using them to teach us patience and perseverance.”

There is this balance that we need to meet or perhaps it’s more of a decision. They are no longer going to affect my sanctification negatively and I am going to affect theirs positively. Or you just decide to get the person or people out of your life because you know you can’t live up to that decision.

For guidance and direction, [a] pastor has written a rather timely article this month.

PRESERVING UNITY IN THE BODY
By Rev. Richard Burguet
First, I think we should be hopeful toward each other. You know, give one another the benefit of the doubt. (1 Cor 4:3-5) We ought to be gracious, especially when offenses are confronted, treating others the way we would want to be treated... to relate to our brothers and sisters in Christ with the same sort of grace that Christ has shown you. (Eph 4:31-5:2, and Col 3:12-15) I don’t believe any of us can have the mind of Christ without prayerfulness either. When you and I constantly confess our own sin to God, I don’t think we tend to be as quick to be offended by the sins of others. And when you and I pray for one another, all the more!

As I seek graciousness in my relationships, I am still ever mindful of the need for wisdom and discernment. While the ideal is unity and reconciliation, separation is not always bad. For those that are truly toxic and there is no working of the Spirit in their hearts, we must be willing to part ways. In the end it is unity in Christ that prevails and saves us each from the darkness and despair of a life apart from the living God. This is not a boring lack of diversity. But Lord, Christians are a peculiar people.

Posted by price at October 8, 2005 06:59 AM | TrackBack