How responsible are we for another's sin?

[JoeBandy]

Ok this past weekend my nephew and his girlfriend showed up at my house needing a place to stay for a couple days. They had rented a home together but the utilities would not be turned on until Monday. His initial plan was to stay at his grandparents ( my in-laws), however, when the grandmother found out the girlfriend was with him she turned them away. She told him she was not going to hell for letting them stay in her house together with them unmarried. I gladly let them stay with me. Gave them a safe place to stay ( his only other option was sleeping in his car ) and fed them for 2 days. The fact that his grandmother turned him away deeply hurt this young man. Was she right for turning him away? Am I responsible for any sin that may or may not have been committed in my home since I did not turn them away?

[Amanah]

I would have taken them in also, but would have requested that they live separately while under my roof, and also would have requested that as a curtesy to me they would join me in church services.

[good samaritan]

Not responsible for anothers sins, but we must be careful that we aren't blessing something that God has not. Sometimes I think Christians can confuse love as making people feel good and coming to the rescue. Sometimes people are in their positions because of the choices they have made in their life and so long as we always bail them out they are never going find their pig pen like the prodigal son. I know of someone who has always been there for family. All the while their family does not have to be responsible because someone else is taking care of them.

Although, I don't think we are responsible for others sins, I do think we should be clear about what is sin. I would not let an unwed couple share a bed in my home. I have children, and I would not want the influence in my home and family.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Amanah

I would have taken them in also, but would have requested that they live separately while under my roof, and also would have requested that as a curtesy to me they would join me in church services.

I totally agree.

[JoeBandy]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Not responsible for anothers sins, but we must be careful that we aren't blessing something that God has not. Sometimes I think Christians can confuse love as making people feel good and coming to the rescue. Sometimes people are in their positions because of the choices they have made in their life and so long as we always bail them out they are never going find their pig pen like the prodigal son. I know of someone who has always been there for family. All the while their family does not have to be responsible because someone else is taking care of them.

Although, I don't think we are responsible for others sins, I do think we should be clear about what is sin. I would not let an unwed couple share a bed in my home. I have children, and I would not want the influence in my home and family.

The did sleep separate, and remember these are adults not children, when I woke early each morning they were still in separate rooms. I do not know what they done after I went to sleep and I do not feel like I am responsible if they did "sneak" around. However my MIL feels different and feels she would be sinning by letting them even stay under her roof. I do not agree with her and can not understand her turning her grandson away.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by JoeBandy

The did sleep separate, and remember these are adults not children, when I woke early each morning they were still in separate rooms. I do not know what they done after I went to sleep and I do not feel like I am responsible if they did "sneak" around. However my MIL feels different and feels she would be sinning by letting them even stay under her roof. I do not agree with her and can not understand her turning her grandson away.

you are not responsible for that they actually do, if they break your rules it's on their head.

Give Grammy a break, she is trying to do the right thing.

Not to mention they are more likely to respect a male authority figure, but can kick them out on their butts if they are not respectful

[JoeBandy]

Originally Posted by Amanah

you are not responsible for that they actually do, if they break your rules it's on their head.

Give Grammy a break, she is trying to do the right thing.

Not to mention they are more likely to respect a male authority figure, but can kick them out on their butts if they are not respectful

Nope not giving her a break plus Grandpa is still there so its not like its just her. It boils down to the fact that her pastor was scheduled to visit with them this weekend and she did not want him to get the impression that she was condoning the relationship her grown grandson is in. Also , she told him 2 days before that they were welcome to stay so they drove 3 hours and then got turned away. Then she used the excuse about her not going to hell blah, blah, blah.

[n david]

Originally Posted by JoeBandy

His initial plan was to stay at his grandparents ( my in-laws), however, when the grandmother found out the girlfriend was with him she turned them away.

Originally Posted by JoeBandy

Also, she told him 2 days before that they were welcome to stay so they drove 3 hours and then got turned away.

From your initial post, it reads as though his grandmother was led to believe the girlfriend would not be with him.

It's completely possible that she invited him to stay, then he shows up with the girlfriend and his grandmother says, "no deal." If he didn't tell his grandmother that his girlfriend would be with him, it's his fault. I would imagine he knows his grandmother's beliefs on the issue.

I question if he misled her intentionally, knowing she was against it, but hoping that she would allow it since they showed up on her doorstep.

Regardless, I wouldn't judge the grandmother. She comes from an age where unmarried couples in the same home (even if in different rooms) was socially a taboo. If that's her belief, God bless her.

[JoeBandy]

Originally Posted by n david

From your initial post, it reads as though his grandmother was led to believe the girlfriend would not be with him.

It's completely possible that she invited him to stay, then he shows up with the girlfriend and his grandmother says, "no deal." If he didn't tell his grandmother that his girlfriend would be with him, it's his fault. I would imagine he knows his grandmother's beliefs on the issue.

I question if he misled her intentionally, knowing she was against it, but hoping that she would allow it since they showed up on her doorstep.

Regardless, I wouldn't judge the grandmother. She comes from an age where unmarried couples in the same home (even if in different rooms) was socially a taboo. If that's her belief, God bless her.

Negative Ghostrider. Notice I used the plural pronoun "they". So yea I am judging the grandmother plus she aint that dang old. 58. Also THEY stayed with her back in May. I understand it is her house and she can or can not let some one stay. What I am most upset about is her excuse why they could not stay.

[JoeBandy]

I just don't believe that a sin can be committed by proxy.