Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.  But watch yourself, or you may also be tempted  (Galatians 6:1).

“Oh, but I could never get caught up in that.”

Yes, you could.

“No, really, I’d never–”

Yeah, well, you might.

“Trust me, there’s no way I would ever–”

Way.  Big, fat, hairy way.

There’s plenty of analogies, Beloved.

Playing with fire

Walking too close to the edge

Eating one more piece of Christmas fudge

The point is, sin is seductive.  That’s its nature.  If you hang out with sinners in order to identify with them and reach them, you’re putting yourself in a dangerous place.  

“Yeah, but Jesus did it!”

Yes, and he is Jesus.  

Look, Paul doesn’t say not to go; he says to watch yourself.  Be aware of your danger, and take precaution.  A fireman willingly runs into a flaming building, but he carries oxygen so that he doesn’t have to breathe the smoke.  

We are called to His work, so do what you gotta do, but do what you gotta do so you can do what you gotta do.

Got it?

Happy Monday, Beloved.