Why Can't We Be Friends?

Well, it has been a while since I posted: over two weeks to be exact. I have been thinking about a lot of things to write about and really a lot has come to mind but I have been so busy that I have not been able to sit down and actually write something.

One thing that has been on my mind a lot is friendship. Recently, I lost my best friend. Not in some car accident but, to spare the details and to introduce what I am going to talk about, he is living a lifestyle that, in accordance to the Bible, forces me to, if you will, de-friend him. He told me he was a homosexual. This is very sad because we were great friends. He encouraged me in the Lord, we loved to goof off, go fishing, talk about video games, and write silly stories. We really had a deep connection. When the lifestyle he pursued was introduced, it took me by surprise. I had not spoken to him for several weeks if not a month because he was acting strange. I felt that he was hindering my walk with Christ and I felt that I should distance myself but still keep in contact periodically. I was driving to work so broken-hearted because of issues going on in my life that I called him, sobbing. He stopped me and said, "Sam, stop crying. I need to tell you something very important." Through the tears he told me flat out that he was gay. My heart sank. It sank so low that I wanted to rip things apart and scream and cry at him and tell him if it was because of me then I would do anything for him to not be homosexual. Then, everything changed in a split second. The love of Christ coursed through my veins, pouring out of my mouth. This was nothing short of a miracle. I told him I did not support his lifestyle but I would continue to pray for him. I went to work that night very sad. It was a really rough night.

In any tough situation, especially like this you must seek council. I did which was probably the best move I could ever make. This did bring my focus back to the Lord, which was great but Satan really got a foothold in my life. But let's get to my point in all of this: why I chose to stop being his friend. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 clearly states my argument for me not being friends with him anymore: ⁹ I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; ¹⁰ I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. ¹¹ But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Yep, it's a toughie....Yet, the Bible CLEARLY states that as a Christian, I should not associate myself with another Christian who is living an immoral lifestyle, like my friend is. It was and still is very tough to come to the realization that he and I cannot be friends anymore because he is saved or claims to be and is a homosexual. He knows the truth, he knows Christ as his Saviour, he has gone to church all his life, he has grown up in a good, godly, Christian home, and yet he has been told my the world that he is acting like a gay man because of what his interests are. This is not talking about people who don't know Christ because we can still be a light in their life and be a witness.

What do we do in these situations? For me, as well as everyone else should, I prayed, got counseling, I prayed some more, sought counseling some more, read scripture and was seeking God for answers. After this all happened, I really did have to evaluate who my friends were and also my life. What was/am I doing wrong as a Christian that could potentially make a fellow Christian stumble? I dislike it and still dislike evaluating and seeking what is best for my Christian walk. I dislike that I find so many problems but I do my best to correct those mistakes I have made and stop those things that may be a potential problem. 

This is a large pill to swallow especially since that these are friends we are talking about. Please, if there is a friend of yours that, according to the verses that Paul wrote, is living that sort of lifestyle and they are saved or claim to be saved, pray about it, seek counsel, and then make your decision. You may be the only Jesus they see.