When someone is being directly harmed by a person's behavior, when there really is a crisis involved, I agree that intervention is immediately required. Whether or not that intervention should be *you*, personally, may remain in question though. Perhaps in such cases it would be best for someone like some elders of that person's church to address, or at least from people that person respects vs. the already disrespected person they are victimizing.
There is a big difference between genuine crisis situations vs. just seeing general behavior we don't like and feeling it is our God-ordained Christian duty to try to police them over it and over every other detail of their lives. Lots and lots of times we seem to enjoy pointing out everything we believe other people all around us are doing wrong and yet failing to see all the wrong that we are doing ourselves, so this is primarily what I was addressing vs. crisis situations that require immediate attention.
Also, we do not have the authority to determine whether or not someone is "saved" regardless of what things seem like on the outside. That's between them and God.
Wow. Once again, let me point out that you missed the point. A-lot. But I understand your pov.
First of all, my originally posted concern was about dealing with loved ones and people close within our circle. Generally, people get into heated discussions sometimes within families and circle of associates. You may be an exception. I realize exceptions do exist. My point was about the theme of discussion being topics that are clearly addressed Biblically. And so, going back and forth with them on such topics leaves me to wonder whether I should converse as fellow believers - meaning in agreement on certain topics OR instead of taking their word for whether they are saved, simply minister to them. (Not preach to them, not delegate what callings or activities should they have, not comment on what's right and wrong in their lives.) Just minister the gospel to them, not taking any chances that they are saved or not. And yes, upon discussion of certain topics, point out why I have my pov as supported by Scripture.
I later clarified with examples on how I've gone back and forth with people in discussions - a man physically terrorizing his (former) wife, my friend (by his own smug admission because she was too ashamed to disclose to anybody what had been going on). If you're the type who would stay silent about that...if you're the type who can just nod your head while a man casually talks about his "girlfriend", who is also the wife/mother of her own family...if you find that polite conversation is far more acceptable than sharing the gospel, well then you go on ahead and feel proud of yourself for doing so. But your critiquing me of what I do falls right back within its own parameters ricocheting right back onto you. To say I'm policing them - whether that wording is an agenda-based accusation or not - looks quite similar to your own comments as "policing" what you THINK my motives are. And that's okay. That doesn't make you a bad person - just incorrect.
Your assessment of me and my desire to get the gospel out is SPOT-ON. But beyond that, again, you basically stepped into another dimension on me scrutinizing people's lives unless you just believe a person's calling to share the gospel entails scrutinizing. And the way in which you think I want to share the gospel shows your common misinterpretation of what I'm saying in this whole thread. A lot of people think that's what I'm trying to do.
Do I want to share the gospel with everyone I can? Absolutely, I do. I haven't always done it right and still learning. And I've been doing it for years whether people want to "police" my actions or not, and whether it offends people or not. USUALLY, the people who are offended are NOT the ones receiving the gospel - not even a man pushing his wife around. A lot of people appreciate the gospel the gospel enough to hear a breakdown of it in conversations, whether they accept it or still yet reject it like King Agrippa. Usually, the ones offended by somebody wanting to share the gospel are the spectators - the ones not in those conversations but know about the conversations (like I've mentioned for insight by those who can relate). The know-it-alls who know so much that their way is better than even the very Bible itself. The ones that have so much criticism to say about somebody wanting to witness the gospel, yet they themselves don't have enough of the same self-examination they promote in order to recognize the butting-in according to their own standards.
I've come to a place where, instead of taking somebody's word for it, I don't tell them they are not saved. But I do tell them what the Word says within our conversation. I'm not going up to family or strangers and saying, "You shouldn't buy that liquor...You shouldn't cheat...You shouldn't lie..." UNLESS what's said is said to me or directed at me. But either way, I witness to them - again, so as not to wound any fragilities, I don't preach at them. I bring the gospel into relevant conversation and minister, as many do to me as well. I keep my questions about their salvation to myself and minister to them. I used to think like you. But I had to put my own opinion aside, realizing my opinion does not matter. What God's Word says mattes.
And I am not a leader in any office at church. I don't make decisions about people. And I have never reported anybody before. In organizational settings, I quietly share the gospel if I see wrong right within my face. Ex. Teens being disrespectful...and such.
And I blog with a clear recognition of what I believe are issues to address among believers. And the blogs, basically an extensively longer version of how we post here, have my concerns as you have yours here. And I realize, in your book, yours are RIGHT. YOU are the one that has it all together. Who do I think I am trying to witness according to Scripture, instead of according to the opinions and standards bekkilyn? To sum it all up, I think I get what you're asking. Based on what authority and how should I go about witnessing? According to bekkilyn's book? Not according to the Word?