How do you love a pornstar?
Joe from the Evangelical Outpost asks this question:
How do you befriend someone who relishes what you despise? Can you show someone love while keeping your distance? If not, how do you draw near to someone who wallows in unrepentant sin? We’re told to follow the example of Jesus in loving our fellow sinners. However, we are rarely provided with practical advice on how to carry out this duty.
For instance, we Christians often speak about how Jesus was a friend to the sinners, how he would often be found in the company of drunks, gluttons, and prostitutes. In all of these cases, though, we are left with the impression that the sinners turned away from their sin. That seems to be the expected reaction to an encounter with the Messiah. Indeed, I can’t imagine how a prostitute could share bread and wine with Jesus and then go back to turning tricks on the street corner.
Still, it seems likely that some of them probably enjoyed Jesus’ company without being fully convicted of their sinful nature. How did he respond? How did his disciples interact with those people? And what do we do when we encounter those types of people today?
May 17th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
It’s really hard. I think it brings out the hypocrite in all of us. I’m not a people person, so I probably have a lot more trouble with this than some.
May 18th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Tim,
Ironically, I find it easier to get along, sit with, converse with, share tea with, hold hands with people that despise what I love than I do with those who love what I love. It has something to do with–here’s a big theological word for you–grace. When we understand what Christ has saved us from, other people become significantly less offensive. (Then there’s that whole 1 Cor. 5:9-11 passage that really throws all of this into a mess.)
What’s even more ironic, is that those ’sinners’ wanted to spend time with Jesus. Strange that they felt rather non-threatened by his presence even when it was his very presence that should have caused them to tremble.
I could probably enjoy a cup of tea easier with an atheist than with some Christians I know, and I probably want to. Strange isn’t it?
jerry
May 18th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I feel the same actually. For me I think it’s the ability to honestly discuss beliefs without insult, accusation or ridicule. It’s strange that I sometimes feel a particular pagan friend of mine is “more saved” than some Christian friends.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I think in some ways it easier to talk to non-Christians more honestly because they don’t have the desire to process everything through the “oh, no you’re going to hell” filter. Seriously, there are a lot of Christians I purposely avoid talking to because I don’t feel like giving them the satisfaction of judging everything I do. I’m not talking about sin issues here, I’m just talking about normal stuff.
May 19th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Hey,
The comment from “Boonton” was especially good. It’s about halfway down the page. Check it out.
Joe