Can Christians be good neighbors without endorsing sin?

FireDragon76 said:

Being a Christian, for me, is about worshiping and following Christ, not worshiping a book and embracing anti-intellectualism and blind adherence to religious tradition.

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You (and everyone else) would know nothing specific about God, the Gospel or Jesus Christ, apart from His divinely inspired word. At best you would know and believe there is indeed a God but you would know absolutely nothing about Him, Who He is or what He’s done once for all on the cross for all mankind.

You believe trusting God and believing that His word is what it says it is amounts to some kind of idolatry, it does not. I don’t worship a book, I worship the true God of Scripture, Who is revealed for all in the word He inspired.

Nor am I “anti-intellectual”, as you presume those who trust in God’s word are. That is nothing more than a slanderous supposition that has been tossed at Christians for centuries. I’d expect as much from someone who is not a Christian, but not from someone who claims to be a brother or sister in Christ.

You can discard or diminish the Bible if you like, when it comes to God and Who He truly is, you’ll be left with nothing but mysticism and your own subjective experiences.

redleghunter said:

For example, can we teach and adhere to the Royal Law (James 2:8) as Christians without accepting the sins of our unbelieving neighbors?

For example, LGBTQ neighbors. Can we live the Royal Law and still condemn the sin.

It seems some churches believe they are loving neighbors by accepting their sin and in some cases celebrating the sin. Some go as far as not recognizing certain sins in the spirit of being a good neighbor and general all encompassing “love.”

I believe we can be good neighbors without condoning the sin. In fact we have blood on our hands if we do not share the Gospel of Christ crucified, died and Risen for the forgiveness of sins.

This is not a self righteousness we preach from but from the love of Christ.

What are your thoughts?

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We gently remind them that it is a sin and explain the harm their transgressions cause both to themselves and to others. but that we'll love them anyways. Just as long as they aren't aggressive or maliciously hurting others; if they are we have to be more assertive. We're followers and messengers; judgement is the Lord's alone, not ours.

Romans 12:19-20

Also remember that we are condemning sin, not sinners.

Cimorene said:

Yes but Christians who want to be good neighbours should always focus on their own sins, their own family's sins 1st before the neighbours. It sux that Christians have gained such a reputation for hypocrisy bc of failing to do this. It feels like we're not trusted us anymore bc of some the obsession some Christians have with LGBT while not caring at all about their own sins or other sins.

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Obviously, there is such a thing as being too obsessive with this while simultaneously ignoring one's own sins. And, as the Saints show virtually everywhere, it is important to be humble and to give others the benefit of the doubt while simultaneously holding oneself to a very high standard.

Yet,my concern is that the media and everyone else will do their best to undermine us putting out our message and try to silence us.

The fact taht some people are hypocrites should not influence those of us who are not to be silent on the issue just because we are afraid to be compared to them when we do try to point people to the light.

redleghunter said:

For example, can we teach and adhere to the Royal Law (James 2:8) as Christians without accepting the sins of our unbelieving neighbors?

For example, LGBTQ neighbors. Can we live the Royal Law and still condemn the sin.

It seems some churches believe they are loving neighbors by accepting their sin and in some cases celebrating the sin. Some go as far as not recognizing certain sins in the spirit of being a good neighbor and general all encompassing “love.”

I believe we can be good neighbors without condoning the sin. In fact we have blood on our hands if we do not share the Gospel of Christ crucified, died and Risen for the forgiveness of sins.

This is not a self righteousness we preach from but from the love of Christ.

What are your thoughts?

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"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside."

DamianWarS said:

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside."

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It’s a good point, and there is also much in Scripture about confronting sin and the necessity of realizing we are lost sinners destined for hell apart from Christ. Ultimately is IS God, through His word, Who judges people. As Christians, we must remain faithful to what the Bible says. Speaking the truth in love.

DamianWarS said:

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside."

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The word is judge.

We do need to point out to people why they need Jesus and salvation, and that reason surrounds the issue of sin.

If we pretend sin doesnt exist because it's offensive to be told your a sinner in need of salvation, we have done people a disservice. We have not shared their need of Christ.

redleghunter said:

It seems some churches believe they are loving neighbors by accepting their sin and in some cases celebrating the sin. Some go as far as not recognizing certain sins in the spirit of being a good neighbor and general all encompassing “love.”

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Hi Redleg, one of the questions I think we need to ask is, what does God mean when He speaks of "loving" others? Is it loving to see someone who we believe is on the road to perdition and not try to do/say something about it (especially if the Lord gives us the opportunity), to perhaps even encourage them in their sinful behavior (which our silence can sometimes do, sadly, as a tacit form of acceptance)?

I don't think so, because along with telling us to love our neighbors, the Bible also tells us what that means, for instance, that "love ..


So, unlike Cain, I believe that we are called to watch out for one another's good, to be our brother's keeper (if you will), as best we can before God (which means that we may end up being anything but a "happiness guru" at times ).

--David

Hazelelponi said:

The word is judge.

We do need to point out to people why they need Jesus and salvation, and that reason surrounds the issue of sin.

If we pretend sin doesnt exist because it's offensive to be told your a sinner in need of salvation, we have done people a disservice. We have not shared their need of Christ.

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Not according to the OP. Although title language says "without endorsing" once you get deeper it turns into "Can we live the Royal Law and still condemn the sin." This should be the title.

Cimorene said:

Yes but Christians who want to be good neighbours should always focus on their own sins, their own family's sins 1st before the neighbours. It sux that Christians have gained such a reputation for hypocrisy bc of failing to do this. It feels like we're not trusted us anymore bc of some the obsession some Christians have with LGBT while not caring at all about their own sins or other sins.

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being concerned with your own sin does not mean you should condone another's.

redleghunter said:

For example, can we teach and adhere to the Royal Law (James 2:8) as Christians without accepting the sins of our unbelieving neighbors?

For example, LGBTQ neighbors. Can we live the Royal Law and still condemn the sin.

It seems some churches believe they are loving neighbors by accepting their sin and in some cases celebrating the sin. Some go as far as not recognizing certain sins in the spirit of being a good neighbor and general all encompassing “love.”

I believe we can be good neighbors without condoning the sin. In fact we have blood on our hands if we do not share the Gospel of Christ crucified, died and Risen for the forgiveness of sins.

This is not a self righteousness we preach from but from the love of Christ.

What are your thoughts?

Click to expand...

One of our neighbors (in the community sense) down the street from us was a criminal getting arrested several times and was suspect of break-ins in our neighborhood. (No sarcasm. This is absolutely true.) He decided he wanted to get his life right. Hired him for yard work as did others in our neighborhood. Witnessed the gospel to him frequently. Like everyone, he desperately needed to hear the gospel. His lifestyle is a manifested example of how crucial hearing the saving gospel is. But he was no exception in the eyes of God. He later told me about a church he began attending and about a relationship he was in (though it has since ended.) He's been doing okay now for a few years.

Our neighbors next door are gay. Even if they weren't as nice as they really are, I'd still be willing to share the gospel with an open door to do so. Until the time of sharing the gospel with them comes (hopefully I didn't miss it), I pray for them as I do all my neighbors.

The other next door neighbor, the loner and nitpick, is not really a nice person at all. He's my challenge. But God loves him, too.

I always find myself hoping I'm a true light to my community where we live. But I also pray I didn't misrepresent the gospel I share from the way my household has been in uproar during trying times. Arguing and yelling.

Yes. I'd say if you have a neighbor that is in sin you can be polite and pleasant toward him. If he wants to talk about it, you can. But I'd stay quiet regarding it unless it was plain to me that he was distressed by it or unhappy. But if he is satisfied and content in his sin, leave him alone.

DamianWarS said:

Not according to the OP. Although title language says "without endorsing" once you get deeper it turns into "Can we live the Royal Law and still condemn the sin." This should be the title.

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How did what I say contrast the OP? Condemning sin is not judging, it's pointing out there is such a thing as sin.

That is not standing in judgment of a person.