You ask a tough, but fairly common question. The circumstances tend to change, but many Christians ask about how to handle relationships with other Christians who understand Biblical principles, but decide to blatantly ignore them anyway. In the case of your friend, the first thing to do is to consider whether or not you really believe she is a Christ-follower. Remember, just because she has grown up in a Christian environment and attends church doesn't necessarily mean she is one. If there is no broad evidence in her life of being a Christian, than she might not be one - and this would be a reason why she struggles with moral issues. In other words, you might be expecting her to live up to a standard that she has no inner motivation - or changed heart to enable her - to live up to.
The Scriptures address issues of "church discipline" which specifically apply to fellow-Christians - who flagrantly sin. There are some other Scripture passages that refer to handling relationships that would also apply in these types of situations. I don't think there are any formulaic answers because every situation is unique. We talk a lot today about "hating the sin, but loving the sinner" - and there is truth to that, but so much of this depends on the spiritual maturity and attitudes of the individuals involved and whether or not they are professing believers. For instance, you might very well treat situations differently if the one you describe involving your 20 year-old friend, instead involved a 55 year-old, long-time elder in your church.
So, regarding this situation, consider some of the Biblical "pieces" below, pray about it - and make the best decision you know how to make - in regard to how you believe God wants you to respond.
Matthew 18:15-17 (how to handle "sins" against one another within the church; but regarding v.17, ask yourself, "How are Christians supposed to treat pagans or tax collectors"? How did Jesus treat them?
1 Corinthians 5 (specifically refers to "church" discipline , but has some application for personal relationships).
1 Corinthians 15:33 (Bad company corrupts good character.)
1 Peter 4:8 (Love covers a multitude of sins.)
Jude 22,23 (Be merciful, snatch some from the fire.)
Galatians 6:1 (Gently restore one who sins.)
1 Timothy 5:20 (Elders who sin to be rebuked publicly as warning; note a higher standard for elders.) |
