Friends, tools and toys

This is related to my earlier post on confrontation. Today’s sermon was partially about accountability, and how we can be accountable for what our brothers/sisters (in Christ) do. I have talked to somebody about this and was actually trying to talk to them about one of their struggles, and they related how if/when their friends have the same problem, he could care less. I think this attitude is pervasive throughout society. For most problems and issues that are friends have, we just say, “It’s their decision,” or “It’s their life, they can do what they want,” or even, “That is just who they are.” For us to really have such an apathetic approach to other people we must be super cautious about offending people, or we don’t view them as real friends. As a friend, shouldn’t we care about them? Are we not to try to prevent them from stumbling? I mean, we aren’t necessarily responsible for what they do, but we can try to help them. If we don’t care about what our friends do, they are either tools for our own purposes, or they are merely toys for our enjoyment. Is this why people’s relationships mean nothing? We don’t care about their well-being, their future?

I am particularly talking to Christians here. We are full of sins! Why is there not more confrontation!? I don’t think that I am trying to take blame off of myself by blaming others for not telling me of my own errors and sinfulness, but I know that I am oblivious. I need to pray to God to melt me, mold me, fill me, but Christians are a community for a reason.

1 John 2:

 ⁹ If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. ¹⁰ Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.