I recently read an article on Christian Singles Today called "Just Friends?" with this tagline - Six singles weigh in on whether or not they think male-female friendships are possible
It's an old article that was linked on their recent email. I felt very sad after reading some of the entries in the article and I responded to the article with the following:
How can someone think that it is impossible to be friends with a person of the opposite sex?
As a believer, in our horizontal relationships with other believer (regardless of sex/age/ethinicity/cultural background/marital status), we are to:
"...treat younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, in all purity." 1 Tim 5:1b-2
and
"Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5
and
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." 1 Peter 3:8
We are all a part of the family of Christ - every believer is a brother or sister! As singles, who feel they are lead to be married, there will be attractions to the opposite sex that are unavoidable. Until God leads to start developing a deeper relationship, all dealings with the opposite sex should be as to as brother or sister. Humility, brotherly love, tender heart, purity, and reliance on God are the keys!
Yes, you can and should have friendships with fellow believers of the opposite sex. We are part of the body!!
Disclaimer: I'm not bashing Christian Singles Today, I actually enjoy a lot of their articles, I just felt that this one particluar articles was a little off and required a response. What do you think? Am I off?
Posted by tomglass at January 18, 2007 03:34 PM