M
I have noticed a recurring topic on the singles forum is that of unequal relationships, be they friendships or romantic relationships and the general view is that they are bad and something to stay away from.
I can understand and it is a logical standard to apply even if it weren't pointed too in the bible, there does need to be agreement on fundamental issues for any relationship to work long term.
But I am struggling to deal with the reality that view point brings about, how to go about things in this life is clear for those of faith and clear for those without it, in broad terms they each don't want to be involved with the other, but there is a group in between made up of people caught between having a deep feeling of discomfort and unhappiness with the prevailing attitudes of the secular world but who also struggle, for a variety of reasons, to reconcile themselves to a christian life despite a deep desire to do so.
You know many christians have been in this place but imagine for a moment you never got out, how would you build a life holding to many christian values and yet never being truly embraced by christians? by that I mean always being held at arms length, I hear it said to love and embrace non-christians but that's often followed by a warning of 'don't get too close, lest they pull you away from God'.
I understand that fear and that many christians have had this experience and it is not unfounded, but where does it leave people like me?........doomed to only friendship with christians and left to tolerate those in the secular world?
In a thread about being in an unequal romantic relationship I saw it written and I think also quoted from the Bible that christians should not be in an unequal marriage, but if they are that they are required to be every bit as dedicated to it as they otherwise would be if married to a christian, perhaps it's wishful thinking on my part but would the Bible say those words if an unequal marriage could not work and be the wonderful uplifting experience God intends it to be? in spite of the challenge present for both people,
I hope that is the case because if it's not I doubt I am the only one left wondering exactly what it is I am supposed to do, it's easy to say pray and keep your chin up, but I might never get any closer to God than I am today so that doesn't help and seems like an easy thing to say to ally fears without actually doing anything.
I am most interested in hearing from others who are unsure of their faith who also have these thoughts, I would like to talk with people of a like mind, so if you've been down this road in the past as well I'd like to hear from you.
I can understand and it is a logical standard to apply even if it weren't pointed too in the bible, there does need to be agreement on fundamental issues for any relationship to work long term.
But I am struggling to deal with the reality that view point brings about, how to go about things in this life is clear for those of faith and clear for those without it, in broad terms they each don't want to be involved with the other, but there is a group in between made up of people caught between having a deep feeling of discomfort and unhappiness with the prevailing attitudes of the secular world but who also struggle, for a variety of reasons, to reconcile themselves to a christian life despite a deep desire to do so.
You know many christians have been in this place but imagine for a moment you never got out, how would you build a life holding to many christian values and yet never being truly embraced by christians? by that I mean always being held at arms length, I hear it said to love and embrace non-christians but that's often followed by a warning of 'don't get too close, lest they pull you away from God'.
I understand that fear and that many christians have had this experience and it is not unfounded, but where does it leave people like me?........doomed to only friendship with christians and left to tolerate those in the secular world?
In a thread about being in an unequal romantic relationship I saw it written and I think also quoted from the Bible that christians should not be in an unequal marriage, but if they are that they are required to be every bit as dedicated to it as they otherwise would be if married to a christian, perhaps it's wishful thinking on my part but would the Bible say those words if an unequal marriage could not work and be the wonderful uplifting experience God intends it to be? in spite of the challenge present for both people,
I hope that is the case because if it's not I doubt I am the only one left wondering exactly what it is I am supposed to do, it's easy to say pray and keep your chin up, but I might never get any closer to God than I am today so that doesn't help and seems like an easy thing to say to ally fears without actually doing anything.
I am most interested in hearing from others who are unsure of their faith who also have these thoughts, I would like to talk with people of a like mind, so if you've been down this road in the past as well I'd like to hear from you.