"Test all things and hold firmly to the truth."
Polycarp - I completely understand what you are saying and why you are saying it. However, I have to disagree. Things got out of hand and went way too far, this is true, but we stopped ourselves. We did not allow it to go all the way.
Obviously you did not stop yourselves. Anyway, I gave you Christian advice from a brother to a sister. I do believe that your witness is a bit askew until you go to your Church leadership and tell them you have messed up a bit and need some time to refocus and rededicate your leadership the way you should.
I did not say "walk away." We do not sin so that grace may abound. It's better to live a solid walk. It is possible. Your "BF" needs to refocus his mind as well. "IF," that is, he is a believer. If he is not, then that is up to you.
If I was caught in a habitual sin, or one that I was not willing to walk away from, I would agree with you 1000%. But you are saying that everytime I mess up in any way I should turn from the calling God has put on my life. I dont think that is right.
I am not saying that. But, your calling is not to lead people away from things you have a hard time not engaging in your self. It is to do the right thing. And, ther is the matter of you messing AS a leader of a Church. At least that is what I think you're saying, calling yourself a "minister." Minster's are to be held accountable. "Close calls" are not an escape route in the Christian faith. Wake up calls for sure, but you have some work ahead of you still.
Paul said that he did things he wished he hadnt and didnt do things he should have. We all struggle with this.
In context, in context, in context. Paul worked out his walk. Enough to say that he fought the good fight and was not guilty of anything. You can stand in that confidence by repenting and being held to an accountability. It's going to be very, very, very, difficult for you to wing this thing by yourself. Especially with a guy that is a guy.
Every one of us. But if we ran away everytime that happened, where would all of our leaders be.
You are running away from what happened. You need to go to whoever is your authority above you in your Church and be contrite.
I have re-evaluated my life and I have made the necessary changes. I dont want this to ever happen again. We both let ourselves be set up in the wrong situation. We both see that, and neither one of us wants to be here again.
And your Pastor knows this?
God is, was and will always be my Redeemer. I am just going to do my best to walk in His grace, to ensure this does not happen again.
Walking alone will almost assuredly see this happen again. And sins and sining can never seperate you from your Redeemer. But as a leader, you are held to a higher accountability.
I have been sexually pure for 7 years, and I am not going to let this one mistake discourage me from doing the things God has called me to do.
I am encouraging you that you will be made stronger "if," you do things the way a leader in a Church should. No one needs to be told the details, but you need to be held accountable. If, you have met with your leadership, and these people value the witness of Christ Jesus and the Apostles, you will come away from this very effective indeed. If, you think your got away with a close call, you are only fooling yourself.
I messed up, but I have blushed, I have felt guilt and shame, I have cried, and have been sorrowful even past tears, I have repented, my Father has forgiven and has given peace, so it is time for me to stand back up, shake off the dust and start pushing forward again.
If you have repented, you have never sinned from that point on. But the reality is, that there are consequences in the corporal that still linger. And the mind of a person, even longer. I praise Christ Jesus for your actions.
Running the race He has called me to run, without shrinking back. Sin is not my master, it caught me with a dart, but I have been healed and freed and I will move forward.
Praise God, in the Name above every name.
