Friend of Sinners

Let’s face it.  It’s way more fun to sin in the company of a good friend than by yourself.
 
As guys often do, Cade struggles with using words he shouldn’t.  I think he loves that tough feeling of saying something that is off limits.  But his struggle always intensifies when he finds a friend who also loves to use these words. 
 
Once, at our neighborhood pool, Cade and another three year old were in the middle of the pool together, buoyed by inner tubes and floaties.  From my perch in the pool chair, I heard the other boy say, “Poop!” which sent them both into laughing hysterics.  Then Cade said, “Fart!” and they cackled even louder.  They could’ve entertained themselves for days in this manner. 
 
Since childhood, I’ve struggled with the whole ‘being a friend of sinners’ thing.  The particular denomination that I was raised in is often criticized for taking pride in what they didn’t do.  And I agree with that criticism.  Pride and self elevation are the biggest sins we can muster.  (Just think of what Jesus said to the Pharisees, as opposed to the prostitutes and tax collectors!)
 
But should a true friend offer the next naughty word?  Or tag along on every drinking binge and husband bashing session?  Is that loving or kind?
 
Jesus was a friend of sinners.  But he never condoned sin.  He was always saying, “Go and sin no more.”  In befriending each other (we’re all sinners here), we must not condone each others’ sin, or make each other feel more comfortable in sin.  This isn’t Christ like, and it’s not what true friends do. 
 
If you are my true friend, you know that my sin of choice will eventually bring me pain, unhappiness, and misery.  Don’t offer me camaraderie while I indulge!  The worst thing you can do is stay there, floating beside me in the pool, and throw out another off-limits word, which will make me throw my head back and howl even louder.  Rather, why not offer me a more wholesome option; one that would honor Jesus? 
 
But, I’ll warn you.  The most friend-like thing you can do for me in that moment might be to hop out of the pool.