Posted on 11/21/2023 9:49:08 AM PST by Morgana
Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and I can already taste my wife’s delicious turkey. But let’s face it, it’s not always fun to gather with your extended family around the holidays and break bread with them. In fact, for many of us, it’s more of an obligation than a celebration, and we really just can’t wait until it’s over—at least, that’s how it always was for me growing up. Later in my life, we pretty much tend to stick to immediate family only for our holidays, and it’s much more bearable, even if we do differ ideologically. At least the people that are closer to us know our boundaries, and won’t cross them.
But that’s not true for everyone. Sometimes, we marry into a large family that has a tradition of getting everyone together for the holidays. And you always have those cousins who love to talk politics at the table. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, so long as everyone agrees, it’s the little progressive fresh-out-of-college hotheads that ruin everything. They grew up in church, still claim to be Christians, but have been indoctrinated with all the latest liberal trends and are now defending drag queen story hour at the dinner table.
Your aunt, who used to sit with you in church when you were a kid, has recently embraced the feminist movement and now believes it’s okay for women to have abortions. She refuses to acknowledge abortion as murder, and this, frankly, pisses you off. And for whatever reason, some of these people are now defending “gay marriage” and believe people should be able to use whatever public restroom they choose, despite the danger it poses to women and children.
You wonder, how did these people change so much? These people are supposed to be Christians, yet they have embraced the world and its ideologies. How can I get through this holiday season dealing with these people?
The Apostle Paul has the perfect answer for you: “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.” (1 Corinthians 5:22)
You see, there is a reason Paul warned us against breaking bread with such people. These people are not Christians. Christians do not embrace the world, its ideological movements, and its irrational thinking. Christians are born again, have a mind renewed and transformed by the gospel, and seek to follow Christ and honor God in all things. And these two contradicting worldviews are at enmity with one another and cannot coexist peacefully. One side is the mission field while the other side are the missionaries, and the only spiritual enterprise we’re to have with such people is a call to repentance and faith.
Of course, this does not mean that we are to never spend time with or interact with our lost family members—but our primary purpose in these interactions should be to expose them to the gospel. And sitting around the Thanksgiving table with them—a table that is meant to serve as an act of worship and thanks to God for his providence—does not do this. When we pray with false converts, it gives them the impression that we’re praying to the same God. In essence, you’re putting your stamp of approval on their supposed conversion. But when we pray for them as we should be doing, particularly, for their repentance, they’re going to be offended. When we confront them with their sin and error, they’re going to be offended. If we say nothing, we’re doing them no justice.
So, if you’re wondering how you can get through the holidays putting up with people in your life, extended family, or otherwise, who claim to be Christians but make you want to vomit with their worldly obsessions and liberal ideologies, then heed the Apostle Paul, take comfort, and excuse yourself from the situation. It’s biblical, and it just might do exactly what God intends it to do, as His word never returns void.
I like them because they expose a lot of bad things in Christianity that need exposing.
1Co 11:19 But, of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God’s approval will be recognized!
Luk 12:51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!
’. I simply don’t know for sure, and I won’t declare that I do just to pass some organized religion’s ‘test’.
That doesn’t make me ‘not Christian’.
—
Don’t know what for sure?
Anyhow, it’s not hard. Are you a Christian? Or do you think you are?
It’s hard to follow you.
reminds me of an old Jewish joke..................
Is there any other kind?????..................😜🤦♂️🤷♀️................
I consider myself a Christian.
“My house is very, very diverse. Not only ethnicity but country and religion or not.”
Sounds like you’re proud of that.
Yes, I am. I can’t tell people who they can love or marry.
Sounds like a plan, what channel?
Cool.
I like to listen to Thru The Bible with Dr. McGee.
You might like it if you don’t already listen.
https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/thru-the-bible-with-j-vernon-mcgee/
I find Thomas Troward to be the greatest exponent of Christian Philosophy.
You might like it if you don’t already listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SGKkLtyHMU
I knew this would come up in this thread. Yes Jesus associated with sinners (as are we all). If you carefully read each incident in context, you will realize that the sinners in question had actively sought him out and wanted to hear what he had to say. They were sinners who knew they were sinners. They were not proud and defensive of their lifestyle.
Wisdom, and common sense derived from God’s word needs to be the guiding principle when wading in to a difficult family gathering.
Am I shunning or avoiding abuse?
I feel no need to put myself through that on what is suppose to be a joyful holiday.
I’m so sorry this person in my life is this bitter but as a woman once said “ain’t no body got time for that”.
Who are you trying to enlighten, brother? I never said what you claim, but included the whole verse, plus verse 2.
Sometimes written communications on this forum sound a lot harsher than they are, and maybe I'm mistaken?
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4196589/posts
I post it every year and on the day I post it when it begins
UI feel no need to put myself through that on what is suppose to be a joyful holiday’
That’s pretty much how I feel. We all have to do what seems right to us in every situation.
Somehow I think the whole point of this has been lost and now FReepers are arguing like family members around the Thanksgiving dinner table.
See my post 95
Now you all know why I post the live Mystery Science Theater 3000 turkey day marathon every year.
It happens in every home and I know you all need a break.
Thanks
Our families are all liberals but the unwritten rule at holidays, and actually most any time, was no discussions about politics.
Even considering they are Christ hating flaming liberals, they valued family enough that we just don’t go there. And they do know where we stand. There are enough other things in our lives to catch up on to keep us busy for the duration of the meal and visit.
Actually not.
Matthew 12:48-50 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
That’s fine to meet and fellowship with sinners but wolves in sheep’s clothing is different. I will not abide someone that claims Christ yet really follows the serpent. Two very different things.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.