The following fictional letter is based on a situation I was familiar with a few years ago. If only I’d had the guts to live up to the truth I knew at that time.
The man the letter was addressed to could not have been a born again believer, in spite of claims to the contrary. The book of 1 John tells us throughout that a believer does not continually practice sin, especially as this man did.
I believe we’d rather tolerate sin and compromise among fellow believers because we fear confrontation will not be seen as loving or forgiving. But the Scriptures are clear about the distinctions we must make in our relations with believers and unbelievers.
May God use the thoughts expressed below as only He can.
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Dear Mr. C.,
I’m writing to let you know I won’t be eating at your house again. Once was enough. I had doubts when my wife and I ate there this afternoon, and I should have listened to my gut.
I know we’ve only met for the first time today. It was when you talked so piously about your faith in Christ that I became uneasy. Then when I got home I read a couple of Scripture passages that made the point I want to convey to you. They’re 1 Thess. 4:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 5: 11-13.
You fixed a wonderful old fashioned fried chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, baked beans, and chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert. Your daughter A. says you make the best fried chicken around. And I hear your chocolate cake is a prize winner because you use milk in the recipe instead of water.
But I can’t eat any more of your Southern fried chicken or chocolate cake with a clear conscience.
Sitting at the table was your 51-year-old daughter A. and her new second husband. I know from what my wife has told me about her that she lived with you and her mother for a while, but couldn’t wait to get away because you made numerous sexual advances toward her.
Yes, I know your wife’s had a stroke, and maybe she acts a little off. But, come on, Mr. C., that’s no excuse. A. says you’ve been molesting her long before the stroke. You’ve been doing it since she was a little girl! What kind of animal are you?
Your poor daughter’s first husband sexually abused her, too. But then all she had to go by was your example of what a man should be.
Is it true you used to be a pastor? Unbelievable.
I find your behavior totally disgusting and repulsive. How many more like you are walking the streets out there? How many women are emotionally wounded and scarred because of men like you?
I’ve probably had chicken dinners and other sumptuous meals prepared by all kinds of perverts and didn’t know it. But how many of them professed to know Christ? That makes a big difference according to the Scriptures.
This afternoon’s fried chicken gave me an upset stomach like I haven’t had for quite some time. And it was more than greasy food that did it.
No, Mr. C., I can’t eat there any more. I’d ask you to accept my apology, but according to the Scriptures, I shouldn’t have eaten with you in the first place. But why hasn’t anyone from your church addressed this with you?
Sure, you can think me legalistic and Pharisaical if you want to. Think it all you want. But I suggest you look up the Scripture passages I mentioned above, and search your heart. If you call yourself a believer, how could you be so black hearted toward your own flesh and blood?
What does it take for you to get the message that what you’ve done–and would do again–is abominable to God?
Remember this. I could have let this go and not mentioned a word about this to you. After all, it’s not me you’re ultimately responsible to. But one day, when you stand before our Lord, you’ll be confronted with much more than a letter from a man with an upset stomach.
Sincerely,
A Brother in Christ
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1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
3. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5. Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6. That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
11. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13. But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.