Should you socialize?

Not if they refuse to share.

 

That's funny :laugh:

I replied yes
These reasons, in and of themselves, would not cause me to break off a friendship. In fact, it is during times of trials in which christians and friends should stick together. They usually need the friendship more than ever. Having them over instead of visiting their house is how I would handle it. Encourage healthy living and exercise.
Offer support to repent of these sins. If they refuse, I would let it go.

Drinking isn't sin until one becomes drunk. Smoking is similar to the sin of gluttony in my opinion

We are all human, and need one another for support to get through the sin "phases" of life. Unless their sin could cause you to stumble, then you may want to consider being truthful with them about your choice to break off socialization for the time being.

This is hypothetical.

 

I voted "depends". "Hadn't seen them in months", assumes they've back slidden. I would try to get them back into fellowship. It would probably require some longsuffering.

 

I would but the purpose of socializing would begin to include discipling them. You said they were former druggies. While I might agree that they are not necessarily sinning, it sounds like they are slipping back into the old life style.

 

Depends....you may be the only person who could bring them back to the Lord.

 

cigarettes, scotch and beer...big time no; but if it were brandy and cigars i would have to reconsider!
Actually i wouldn't stick around too much due to not being able to handle the smell of cigarette smoke and beer too much; but would continue to work with them toward restoration of some sort.

 

I believe you should increase the solication just so that they may be able to learn something from you. If they are already your friend, maybe you can help them in correction the sinful behavior. You don't want to cut them out and give up on them.

 

Depends on if the beer is import or domestic

 

They are in fellowship, one is a deacon.

 

BTW, why should whether they are backsliden (or even lost for that matter) make any difference? If I recall, Jesus was known as the "friend of sinners" who "socialized" with some of the worst of His day. The 11 no or depends votes clearly contradict His lead.

 

Guess it shows how old I am. I don't look at people smoking, for example, and think back-slidden. Until I was in my forties, I regularly saw people, including deacons, using the time between Sunday School and church to smoke on the steps. SBC and fundamental Landmark ABA churches alike.

As far as scotch or beer, we don't in this household. But doing so (not drunkenness) is part of the culture of many non-Baptist strong Christians I know of, including conservative Presbyterians.