1 Corinthians 6:12 KJV
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
If I were perfect, I'd have no need for Christ. Thankfully I do have Christ.
Because I have Christ, there are some things that are not profitable or expedient in the Holy Spirit's quest to conform me to the image of Christ.
That fact puts many of my friends in two categories:
1) Some find my convictions and preferences silly, antiquated, and unnecessary. Those people tend to, by word or deed, attempt to persuade me to ease up and let some things go.
2) Others see unprofitable things still in my life and, out of concern for my family and I, will bring those concerns to me. Yes, it happens. I wish I could say I always heeded their counsel, but I remind you of my opening statement, "If I were perfect, I'd have no need for Christ." But as a certainty, I count these people as my only true friends.
Church is full of imperfect saints. Our commission is sharing the Gospel, but the purpose of our fellowship with each other is edification.
