Reaching Out Without Compromise

10/1/2001

Hey—

A few of us were talking last night about how best to interface with the unbelieving spouse of one of the saints. He definitely feels/knows he is an outsider but still periodically spends time with us but seems increasingly frustrated by the interface. So on behalf of especially the men, what should we do? How can we reach out to him without compromising? What kind of things should we do with him…or offer him? Should the men be proactive in inviting him to do things? Since he is really not seeking…should we be asking him probing questions? etc. etc. I am sure you understand the picture better than I can describe it.

Love,

Hey… : ) Well, he IS of a different “species” and I would DEFINITELY want to let him know that if he is NOT “born a second time” that this is Truth. “Have you ever noticed that things are a little awkward sometimes? WE don’t want it to be that way either, and ‘enjoy your company’—but the REALITY is that it will ALWAYS be somewhat more complicated with you until you have had a Miracle of reBirth take place. So, SORRY! And hoping that will change someday as you give up your life into His arms, but in the meantime, we’ll probably still have some of that awkwardness at times! God was just pretty incredibly clear that His Offspring are the only ones we can ever REALLY share Life with—and everything else will seem like a ‘fish out of water!’”

And, if it were me, practically speaking, I would definitely not be turning children over to him. If it makes him mad or hurts his feelings, you can just remind him of the above, and tell him you too look forward to the day it is different! He can’t have Kingdom Benefit, while saying “I won’t have this Man to be my King.”

Make sense? Hope so…… Love to you and all………