going through the bible

[Antman_05]

I was reading my bible the other day and saw this
(1Co 5:11 ESV) But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one.
and it kinda hit me that churches don't seem to this anymore, whats up with that ?

 

[reformedfan]

some churches still excomminuicate members that are living in unrepented of sin, that's a mark of a good church.

 

[5solas]

We still practice this - and fortunately in most cases people repented and found their way back to the congregation although I must admit that some left for good.The aim for the congregation must always be to win back the sinner and not to get rid of him - that's sometimes very difficult because we are so human..... on the other hand, if a person does not want to repent he/she has to leave...

 

[Imblessed]

some churches still excomminuicate members that are living in unrepented of sin, that's a mark of a good church.

I agree. I don't know if our church practices this, but if they do, they don't do it publically.

How many here believe that the person should be brought before the congregation if the private talk doesn't work? It's harsh, but it's what it says should be done...


too many church don't want to offend, and how offensive is it to tell a person they are wrong, and if they dont' repent, they gotta go?????

 

[JJB]

I know our church does this, but it's usually between the pastor and the congregant(s).

For awhile, I was working for one of the pastors and there were two congregants who were not married, but living like they were. THey gave them a gentle ultimatum and they married.

 

[edie19]

I was reading my bible the other day and saw this
(1Co 5:11 ESV) But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one.
and it kinda hit me that churches don't seem to this anymore, whats up with that ?

A few years ago the daughter of an acquaintance got married - she and her fiance` had been living together for a year or so before the wedding. They attended a CMA church in the area and were married there. However, the church wouldn't allow them to join the church membership until after they were married. Another acquaintance (not a Christian) commented "how dare they judge!" I remember thinking - it isn't the church's standard, it's God's.

 

[Paleoconservatarian]

A few years ago the daughter of an acquaintance got married - she and her fiance` had been living together for a year or so before the wedding. They attended a CMA church in the area and were married there. However, the church wouldn't allow them to join the church membership until after they were married. Another acquaintance (not a Christian) commented "how dare they judge!" I remember thinking - it isn't the church's standard, it's God's.

One of the things I still like about the CMA. I know my church (also CMA) is also pretty strict on divorce and people who have divorced their spouses.

 

[CoffeeSwirls]

Hypothetical question: How would they react if someone had been divorced prior to their conversion in light of the old passing away and all things becoming new? Would they treat that as water under the bridge as long as the person was progressing in the faith?

 

[edie19]

Hypothetical question: How would they react if someone had been divorced prior to their conversion in light of the old passing away and all things becoming new? Would they treat that as water under the bridge as long as the person was progressing in the faith?

I can't speak as to how various denominations would react. But for myself, I believe that we would have to recognize that the divorce (or whatever) happened prior to conversion and we shouldn't make judgements based on that. Even after conversion - Barna did a survey within the past year or so that made it clear that professing evangelical Christians have the same rate of divorce as the general population. I hate to say that divorce is a fact of life, but in fact, it is. We need to find ways to address the sin and not condemn the sinner and hence drive them away. It's a fine line and I'm not sure that we always find the right balance.

Not just divorce either. As Christians we take a hard pro-life stance (at least most of us). How many women sit in a church every Sunday, suffering the weight of dealing privately with an abortion - never saying a word about it to anyone for fear of the judgement that would be passed on them? Consider how many teens and young adults have adopted the idea of "secondary virginity." They recognized that they made a mistake - we should actively support their change of heart & behavior instead of focusing on the old. Too often, those who need help the most never receive it because they're afraid of the repurcussions.

As I know I will never achieve a sinless state, I try to be mindful that I'm in the same boat as everyone else.

 

[CoffeeSwirls]

That post reminds me of a quote by Al Mohler in regards to homosexuality. He said that we need to love the sinner more than they love the sin. I don't know of too many people who love divorce or abortion, but the church needs to show the love of Christ to all. Granted, a show of love is not necessarily a show of acceptence for the action. God shows His love for us not by making much of us, but by enabling us to make much of Him forever!

 

[JJB]

This post can also go in the besetting sin thread:

We are to forgive one another as long as there is repentance. So if a divorce, or any sin, happens while being a Christian we are called to forgive.

edb, your paragraph about abortion rang so true. I've thought that many times how we do not live transparent lives with one another because of our judgmental attitudes toward our own brothers and sisters in Christ. Sometimes it takes some of us to go ahead and be transparent for others to follow and understand.

 

[edie19]

That post reminds me of a quote by Al Mohler in regards to homosexuality. He said that we need to love the sinner more than they love the sin. I don't know of too many people who love divorce or abortion, but the church needs to show the love of Christ to all. Granted, a show of love is not necessarily a show of acceptence for the action. God shows His love for us not by making much of us, but by enabling us to make much of Him forever!

That Al Mohler is one smart man I had the privilege of hearing him speak in person once - he's just brilliant, gifted of God with his deep understanding of Scripture.

It's funny - I'm one of the most conservative people at my workplace - both theologically and politically. But I'm also one of the most tolerant. I have a good friend who is a junior in college - conservative Christian, calls sin sin. He has several homosexual friends at school. He's told me that those same friends consider him more tolerant than some of their more liberal friends. Why - because my friend recognizes them as folks created in God's image and recognizes himself as a sinner.

I'm not holding either my friend or myself up as great examples - it just always makes me chuckle because Christians have this reputation of being intolerant. Oh well. Such is life.

 

[edie19]

This post can also go in the besetting sin thread:

We are to forgive one another as long as there is repentance. So if a divorce, or any sin, happens while being a Christian we are called to forgive.

edb, your paragraph about abortion rang so true. I've thought that many times how we do not live transparent lives with one another because of our judgmental attitudes toward our own brothers and sisters in Christ. Sometimes it takes some of us to go ahead and be transparent for others to follow and understand.

Thanks for the kind words.

I hate to say it - but I think as humans we've determined some sins to be "unforgivable."

I do believe in church discipline however - I just think it needs to be carried out Scripturally and with great love.

edie

 

[JJB]

I wasn't saying churches shouldn't discipline. Only commenting on how we live our lives individually -- which for many intents and purposes is secretly.