Bad Association (Galatians 6:1)

For years, I could not enjoy listening to classical music. It wasn’t the music, it was because of the people whom I associated with the music. When I was in college, I met several fellow students who were either music majors or had an active role with the college orchestra. One student was particularly aloof to anyone who did not share her love of classical music. She knew that I had a great love for jazz guitar and often played it and listened to this genre of music during my free time. Her dorm room was close to mine and one afternoon, I was inspired to play a solo jazz guitar piece, which I had been attempting to master. There was one chord which was an unusual harmonization that truly set the song apart from others. When I played it, I was struck by the beauty of the dissonant tones which then resolved to the next chord. Excited, I opened the door, saw this student, and called her over. 

“Listen to this chord!” I strummed it again, carefully articulating every harmonic nuance. “Isn’t that beautiful?”

She looked and sniffed. ”I guess so. I’ve heard it before. You’re not a classical musician. You just haven’t heard enough good music.”

My enthusiasm was quickly deflated. Because of that encounter, I never wanted to speak about music again with a classical musician. This bad association remained with me for most of my adult life. It is very difficult to break bad or negative associations that have scarred us. My spiritual life was no different. As a child and teenager, I did not respect most of the Christians I had met. They were judgmental and quick to point out my flaws. It was a spiritual and literal finger-wagging. The last thing I thought would ever happen was for me to become a Christian. God used a Christian brother to reach out to me when so many others turned me away from Him.

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 

Galatians 6:1 (NLT)

We are all sinners. We all need to recognize our lost condition, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. For years, I used the excuse of bad associations with other Christians to justify my refusal to come to Jesus Christ. In God’s perfect timing, He sent a Christian brother to gently and humbly help me recognize my fallen state and show me that I desperately needed a Savior. It was my bad association with sin that prevented me from my eternal association with an all-loving God.

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.