Avoiding Pitfalls

Some congregations of faith today identify themselves as "open and affirming". That sounds wonderful and I think we'd all agree that being open to all individuals who come just as they are and affirming their value as one formed by the Creator would be consistent with the words and actions of Jesus. But the problem happens when we decide we are going to go beyond affirming the individual's value and will also affirm all of their conduct, even if it is clearly prohibited by God's word. This happens with lots of different actions and the desire for "open-mindedness" has led individual believers and entire churches to approve that which God does not. Sin, and the condoning of it, is a pitfall that we must do everything we can to avoid. This week at Friendship, we'll look at what it means to truly love our brother or sister in Christ and to want what is best for them in the battle against sin. We'll also look at what the Apostle Paul says we must do if we want to be a church that truly loves people and brings them back to reconciliation with God. This is one you will not want to miss!