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Friendship and sin

I'm in the middle of a messy problem at church. I tried to confront someone in sin several months ago. They did not take it well. Then they hid from me. I did not pursue them any further. Now it's coming up again and people are getting angry. It's messy.

I was reminded of that situation when I read the following by John Steinbeck in East of Eden:
"'It's my duty to take this thing of yours and kick it in the face, then raise it up and spread slime on it thick enough to blot out its dangerous light.' His voice grew strong with vehemence. 'I should hold it up to you muck-covered and show you its dirt and danger. I should warn you to look closer until you can see how ugly it really is. I should ask you to think of inconstancy and give you examples. I should give you Othello's handkerchief. Oh, I know I should. And I should straighten out your tangled thoughts, show you that the impulse is gray as lead and rotten as a dead cow in wet weather....'

'It is the duty of a friend. But I'm a false friend.'"
Steinbeck's character did not do the duty of a friend. The price was too high.

Oh, that God would grant me friends who would pay the price, who would confront my sin. And, oh, that God would grant me the strength to endure good friendship.
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bluggier said…
We've been talking in the past about spiritual leaders, Chris. This is example #1 of the need and value of such men and women.
Being a leader, whether spiritual or otherwise, and doing it right, is one of the hardest things anyone could do.
To quote a line from the movie, A League of Their Own, Jimmy Dugan(Tom Hanks) says of Dottie's (Geena Davis)comment that baseball and marriage is just "too hard" and quits the team, "It's supposed to be hard! If it was easy, everyone would do it!"
Thanks be to God that leadership is hard!
June 24, 2008 at 8:17 PM
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