Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday May 4, 2006

While talking with a friend of many years the conversation drifted to a current dilemma in the community of faith as perceived by a very conservative group. My friend expressed deep disappointment over the actions of an elderly brother in the faith in relation to the dilemma. As we talked and even prayed, an old saying along with numerous verses of scripture came to my mind. When I used the scriptures the truth became glaringly plain. The quotation I'm using today ushers the truth of the teaching into the brilliant light of day.

My friend had remarked; "Have I been mistaken all these years?" We talked for some time and realized the high probability that he had in fact been mistaken when the record of long years was analyzed through the lens of time. As we looked at the current crisis we came down to those associated with our brother in the scheme. Consider the wisdom in the following:

"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends." Japanese Proverb

Trying not to be pharisaical, we went through the short list of conspirators and noted that while we knew them, we counted each as mere associates and made no effort to deepen a true biblical friendship with them due to glaring flaws of character which are well documented. The truth of the Japanese Proverb hit like a hammer. We did agree that for the sake of kindness we would conclude the brother to be the dupe of the others who are using him for their own ends, which is also rather obvious.

Yet, on reflection, our brother has not always been elderly, and time and again has been involved in similar, yet less obvious conflicts. Could it be????

My friend to whom I was speaking is deeply involved in trying to bring peace, and while peacemakers are blessed of the Lord Jesus, they are usually hated by both sides of an issue. My article of a few days past was helpful to him in finding personal inner peace by fleeing to the City of Refuge named PRINCIPLE. Principle must always win over emotions of any kind. In this case long held principles were being violated, even to the point of our mutual associate stating, "We will follow procedure and if we lose we will sue." That statement tells you more about our long time associate than an FBI dossier could ever reveal.

As the children the Lord gave to Joyce and I grew to maturity our constant instruction to them was to be very careful in the selection of friends. The old saw, "It is better to be alone than to be in the company of unprincipled friends" was repeated to them over and again. I wish I have followed my own advice more closely!!

Thankfully we do have a true friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit

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