Is it wrong not to attend a family dinner hosted by a couple who are living together unmarried?
Question:
Dear Jeff,
Is it wrong for me to not attend a family dinner because the ones hosting it are living together unwed? They are not Christians, they are Baptist. I do not want to approve of sin be it through words or actions.
Answer:
"But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person" (I Corinthians 5:11).
Though Baptists, they still consider themselves Christians; yet, they live in a manner that mocks the teachings of Christ. Decline politely. "I appreciate the invitation. After you get married I'll come, but not now." If possible, make other plans.
You will probably be called something on the order of a self-righteous snob, but such comes when you are trying to follow the teachings of Christ. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:10-12).
Question:
Thank you for the reply. I have been called a hypocrite and was told I have no right to judge. I informed them it's God's word and not mine. I offered to look at the Bible with them. They are so caught up in false doctrine. It saddens me so much to think there really are people out teaching "once saved always saved." They have such a loose view of the Bible, "that's your interpretation of it," is what they tell me. I will keep trying with them.
Answer:
The answer to "that is your interpretation" is: "knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (II Peter 1:20-21). There is no interpreting the Bible to suit someone's personal beliefs. There is only the understanding of what God has said. "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17).
The reason for the mean words is that sinners don't like being told they are in the wrong. They rather pretend that everything they are doing is fine with God. Evidence to the contrary is quickly rejected.
